Ollie Watkins has reportedly given the green light to joining Al-Hilal, with Aston Villa now in talks with the Saudi Pro League club over a potential transfer.
Gianluigi Longari reports that Al-Hilal are searching for a striker and have moved for the England international, with Watkins approving the possibility of making the switch.
Club-to-club discussions with Villa are now said to be underway.
No agreement or transfer fee has yet been reported, but the player’s apparent willingness to consider the move changes the situation significantly.
For Aston Villa, it could also create one of the biggest transfer decisions of the summer.
Ollie Watkins transfer could leave Aston Villa with huge striker problem
Watkins remains Unai Emery’s leading centre-forward and has scored at least 15 Premier League goals in each of the last four seasons. (talksport.com)
His contract runs until June 2028, however, placing Villa at an important point regarding his long-term value.
ReadAstonVilla previously reported that Villa were exploring striker options specifically in preparation for the possibility of Watkins or Tammy Abraham leaving.
Nicolas Jackson has remained one of the names under consideration.
That contingency planning could suddenly become much more important.
Abraham suffered an injury scare in Villa’s final pre-season friendly against Borussia Monchengladbach, while Brian Madjo is expected to miss the opening weeks of the Premier League season.
Selling Watkins now could therefore leave Emery needing an immediate first-choice striker only days before the trip to Brighton.
Al-Hilal talks could trigger major Aston Villa transfer domino
Villa have already undergone significant attacking change this summer following Morgan Rogers’ £117m departure to Chelsea.
Losing Watkins as well would remove another major source of goals, running power and Premier League experience.
It would also almost certainly change the priorities for the remainder of Villa’s transfer window.
The club have already been extremely active, with Zion Suzuki agreeing a move to Villa during another major round of transfer activity.
Watkins would be a different level of decision.
The striker has apparently opened the door.
Villa must now decide what price, if any, would convince them to walk through it.
