Aston Villa star and leading goalscorer of recent seasons, Ollie Watkins, could leave Villa Park this summer.
Aston Villa are enduring a difficult summer. They have been hit by an injury crisis ahead of the Premier League kick-off, lost several key players and are now dealing with uncertainty surrounding Zion Suzuki’s proposed arrival and Emiliano Martinez’s collapsed move to Juventus.
Now, another development could deal a major blow to Unai Emery’s side.
Their main goalscorer, Ollie Watkins, could reportedly be preparing to part ways with the club following interest from the Middle East, according to Sky Sport.
“Saudi Pro League side Al Hilal have even reached an agreement with the England international over the personal terms of a possible transfer.”
The 30-year-old striker has already been linked with a move away from Villa this summer. Both Fenerbahce and Manchester United were mentioned as potential destinations, but only the Turkish giants reportedly submitted a formal offer. Their bid was believed to be worth around £30 million, while reports suggested that Watkins’ representatives had already reached an agreement over personal terms.
However, Villa rejected the proposal because they value their striker at approximately £40 million. With a contract that runs until the summer of 2028 and Emery continuing to place great trust in him, there have been very few sporting reasons for Watkins to leave.
Villa are preparing for another Champions League campaign, while the England international is also just nine goals away from reaching the milestone of 100 Premier League goals.
There has been no official explanation regarding his reported willingness to leave European football. However, the most obvious motivation could be financial. At 30, Watkins may recognise that opportunities to secure a lucrative long-term contract are becoming increasingly limited. The Saudi Pro League could offer him financial rewards that would be impossible to match in England.
He may also have taken encouragement from fellow England forward Ivan Toney, who remained part of Thomas Tuchel’s plans despite playing in Saudi Arabia. Toney’s inclusion in England’s 2026 World Cup squad demonstrated that competing outside Europe’s top five leagues does not automatically end a player’s international career.
Despite reports of an agreement over personal terms, Watkins’ potential move appears to depend on another striker: Karim Benzema.
The 38-year-old remains Al Hilal’s first-choice centre-forward, but reports suggest that manager Simone Inzaghi is prepared to move in a different direction. The former Inter Milan boss reportedly prefers a younger profile, with Watkins emerging as one of his preferred targets. However, Al Hilal cannot fully commit to a deal for the Villa striker until Benzema’s situation is resolved.
The Frenchman still has one year remaining on his contract, but reports indicate that he is demanding his full final-year salary, believed to be worth around £85.5 million.
The issue is further complicated because his wages are reportedly financed through multiple channels, including contributions linked to the Saudi Pro League and government-backed football initiatives.
As one of the marquee names recruited to promote Saudi football internationally and support the country’s long-term football strategy ahead of the 2034 World Cup, Benzema’s departure involves more than a straightforward contractual negotiation.
Unless all parties can reach an agreement, or Benzema is willing to compromise, Watkins’ move appears unlikely. The next two weeks before transfer deadline day could therefore prove decisive in determining whether Aston Villa can keep hold of their most reliable goalscorer.
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