Aston Villa expect fresh Al-Hilal approach for Ollie Watkins after £40m offer turned down

Aston Villa said on 19 August 2026 they are braced for another bid from Al-Hilal for striker Ollie Watkins after rejecting an offer worth almost £40m.

Watkins has two years remaining on his contract at Villa and is the club’s all-time Premier League goalscorer, having reached double figures in the top flight across his six seasons at the club since joining from Brentford; he is a 30-year-old England striker.

Villa made clear that, if Watkins were to be sold, they would seek a replacement and that any high-profile incoming signing before the close of the window would probably have to follow another major sale because of Premier League financial regulations.

Unai Emery is a big admirer of Nicolas Jackson, but Chelsea’s valuation of £65m is thought to be prohibitive as a route to replacing Watkins.

Emery has been forced to reshape his squad this summer after the departures of Morgan Rogers, Youri Tielemans and Lucas Digne, who joined Chelsea, Manchester United and Paris Saint-Germain respectively; Rogers left in a deal worth £117m to become the most expensive British player. Villa also gave Watkins, together with Emiliano Martínez and Ezri Konsa, an extended four-week break after the World Cup. Emery said Watkins volunteered to play in last week’s Super Cup, but the manager advised him to continue to rest.

On incoming business Villa have signed goalkeeper Zion Suzuki as a replacement for Martínez; Suzuki was a £30m purchase from Parma and, the club said, will be the first Japanese goalkeeper to play in the Premier League. The club have also completed the £17m signing of Matteo Ruggeri from Atlético Madrid and record signings Johan Manzambi from Freiburg for £52m and Joao Gomes from Wolves for £38m.

There remains ongoing negotiation on other targets: Villa are in talks with Bayern Munich over João Palhinha and with West Ham over Aaron Wan-Bissaka, and the club say there could be further sales as they hope to find Martínez a new club while Arsenal remain interested in Ezri Konsa.

The immediate next step is clear from Villa’s position: they expect further interest from Al-Hilal in Watkins and, should a sale be agreed, any significant incoming transfer would likely depend on another major departure before the window shuts.