---
title: "Aston Villa set £55m Watkins price as Al-Hilal prepare improved bid"
canonical: "https://readastonvilla.com/2026/08/21/aston-villa-set-55m-watkins-price-as-al-hilal-prepare-improved-bid/"
type: "post"
language: "en-GB"
author: "James Chettle"
section: "Aston Villa Transfer News"
published: "2026-08-21T13:20:00Z"
modified: "2026-09-22T11:07:12Z"
---

# Aston Villa set £55m Watkins price as Al-Hilal prepare improved bid

**Aston Villa are reportedly demanding around £55million for Ollie Watkins as Al-Hilal prepare to increase their offer for the England striker.**

The Saudi Pro League club remain in talks with Villa after seeing their latest proposal of around £38million fall short.

Watkins has already agreed personal terms and remains willing to make the move despite Villa attempting to convince the 30-year-old to stay.

[TEAMtalk reports that Aston Villa are looking for around £55million](https://www.teamtalk.com/aston-villa/ollie-watkins-sale-price-al-hilal-prep-decisive-new-bid-exclusive), although sources close to negotiations believe a package closer to £50million could ultimately be enough to secure an agreement.

> Also in this story: Villa have rejected a fourth offer from Al-Hilal for Ollie Watkins. Latest proposal just under £45m but Saudi Pro League club are still pushing to sign the England international [#avfc](https://x.com/hashtag/avfc?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw) [https://t.co/3vCE5Yx6O2](https://t.co/3vCE5Yx6O2)
>
> — John Percy (@JPercyTelegraph) [August 21, 2026](https://x.com/JPercyTelegraph/status/2090772236730782165?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw)

## Aston Villa set Ollie Watkins price

Al-Hilal have made several approaches for Watkins this summer and are now preparing to improve on their most recent £38million offer.

[Read Aston Villa previously reported that another bid was expected after Villa rejected the Saudi club’s latest proposal](https://readastonvilla.com/2026/08/19/aston-villa-expect-fourth-ollie-watkins-bid-after-38m-rejection/).

The new valuation provides Al-Hilal with a clearer indication of the level required to change Villa’s position.

TEAMtalk says talks between the clubs remain active, with Al-Hilal increasingly confident that they can complete a transfer if the gap in valuation is bridged.

Villa have also attempted to retain Watkins.

The striker has reportedly been offered a **new four-year contract**, but he remains prepared to move to Saudi Arabia after agreeing personal terms with Al-Hilal.

Watkins currently has two years remaining on his Villa contract.

## Nicolas Jackson remains Aston Villa replacement option

Villa are already preparing for the possibility of losing their leading striker.

Nicolas Jackson remains a long-term target for Unai Emery, who worked with the Senegal international at Villarreal.

[Read Aston Villa previously reported that Jackson had emerged as Villa’s preferred striker option](https://readastonvilla.com/2026/08/13/aston-villa-switch-focus-to-nicolas-jackson-as-jonathan-david-talks-denied/).

Chelsea are prepared to sanction a permanent departure for Jackson, while Villa would be unable to sign him on loan because Alejandro Garnacho has already joined from Stamford Bridge on a temporary deal.

Watkins’ future therefore appears to be approaching another important stage.

Al-Hilal know Villa’s reported asking price, Watkins is willing to make the move and an improved offer is being prepared.

Whether they can get close enough to the £50million to £55million range could now decide whether Emery loses another key starter this summer.