Aston Villa’s summer transfer saga has taken another dramatic turn, with Al Hilal now placing a formal, official bid on the table for star striker Ollie Watkins. According to reporting from Fabrizio Romano, the Saudi Pro League giants have offered a total package worth €45 million, including add-ons, in their most serious attempt yet to prise the England international away from Villa Park. The ball is now firmly in Aston Villa’s court as they weigh up whether to accept.
This isn’t Al Hilal’s first attempt. The Riyadh club had already seen two previous approaches turned down by Villa, who have been consistently vocal about their desire to keep Watkins as a central figure in Unai Emery’s attacking plans. But persistence appears to be paying off, at least in terms of getting a concrete offer accepted for consideration, even if Villa haven’t signaled any willingness to sell just yet.
Complicating matters further is Watkins’ own stance. Reports suggest the 30-year-old is genuinely keen on making the move, having reportedly agreed personal terms with Al Hilal, who are searching for a marquee striker to eventually replace Karim Benzema. That willingness on the player’s side adds real pressure to Villa’s decision-making process, even though the €45 million offer sits below Watkins’ estimated market value of around €60 million.
For Villa, the timing could hardly be worse. The club has already said goodbye to key contributors like Morgan Rogers, Youri Tielemans, and Lucas Digne this summer, and question marks continue to hover over the futures of Emiliano Martinez and Ezri Konsa. Losing Watkins, their most reliable source of goals and a genuine club legend with 108 goals in a Villa shirt, would represent a seismic blow just as the Premier League season gets underway.
Whether Villa hold firm or cave to a substantial fee remains to be seen, but with the transfer window closing soon, a decision won’t be far off.
