Ollie Watkins agrees personal terms with Al Hilal as Aston Villa face striker exit

Ollie Watkins has agreed personal terms with Al Hilal, according to reporter Sachi Tavolieri, raising the prospect of Aston Villa losing their leading scorer ahead of the new Premier League season.

The 30-year-old England international has been Villa’s most reliable source of goals since joining from Brentford in 2020, hitting double figures in league goals in every season at the club. His potential departure would follow the record sale of Morgan Rogers and an imminent exit for goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez — a significant dismantling of the squad Unai Emery has built.

The move is not yet straightforward. Al Hilal’s priority remains Napoli striker Victor Osimhen, whom the club regard as their “dream” signing, while manager Simone Inzaghi is also seeking to offload Karim Benzema before formally pursuing a new centre-forward. Tavolieri reports that the club wants to resolve Benzema’s contract situation — the Frenchman is said to be insisting on receiving wages for the remainder of his deal — before making an official approach for Watkins.

Italian journalist Gianluigi Longari had earlier identified Watkins as an Al Hilal target and an alternative to Osimhen. Should the move materialise, Watkins would join fellow England backup Ivan Toney in the Saudi Pro League, with Toney currently at Al-Ahli.

Villa are not expected to accept a cut-price offer. Watkins is valued at €60 million by Transfermarkt, and the club recently rejected bids for Martinez that they considered below his worth. FourFourTwo understands that Villa have previously resisted approaches for Watkins, including reported interest from Arsenal — the club he supports — and gave serious consideration to selling him last summer.

Devon-born Watkins arrived at Villa Park after featuring in Brentford’s Championship play-off final defeat and has since established himself as one of the Premier League’s most consistent strikers. At 30, the club may be open to cashing in if a satisfactory offer arrives, mirroring their approach with Rogers.

Aston Villa open their Premier League campaign away at Brighton & Hove Albion this weekend.