---
title: "Aston Villa striker Ollie Watkins rejects four-year contract offer"
canonical: "https://readastonvilla.com/2026/08/24/aston-villa-striker-ollie-watkins-rejects-four-year-contract-offer/"
type: "post"
language: "en-GB"
author: "James Chettle"
section: "Aston Villa Transfer News"
published: "2026-08-24T10:14:00Z"
modified: "2026-09-22T10:41:23Z"
---

# Aston Villa striker Ollie Watkins rejects four-year contract offer

**Aston Villa striker Ollie Watkins has reportedly rejected a new four-year contract as Al-Hilal continue their attempts to sign the England international. The decision increases the likelihood of a summer departure after Villa had offered fresh terms in an effort to keep their leading forward.**

Villa have already [rejected an improved £45million offer for Watkins](https://readastonvilla.com/2026/08/21/aston-villa-reject-45m-watkins-bid-as-striker-pushes-for-al-hilal-move/), with Al-Hilal repeatedly attempting to negotiate a deal.

However, the latest development suggests their efforts to persuade the striker to remain at Villa Park have failed.

> [#AVFC](https://x.com/hashtag/AVFC?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw) have rejected a new bid from Al Hilal worth £45million for Ollie Watkins. 30yo has made clear to Villa he wishes to leave. Emery wants to keep – club offered new deal until 2030 – but admits there is "an issue." Al Hilal continuing pursuit, with Nicolas Jackson viewed as…
>
> — Jacob Tanswell (@J\_Tanswell) [August 21, 2026](https://x.com/J_Tanswell/status/2090790121368859063?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw)

## Ollie Watkins contract offer rejected

[TEAMtalk’s Graeme Bailey](https://www.teamtalk.com/aston-villa/al-hilal-growing-confidence-securing-ollie-watkins-transter) reports that Watkins has turned down a proposed four-year contract and informed Villa he wants to move to Saudi Arabia.

The offer would have kept the 30-year-old at Villa Park until 2030.

Villa’s proposal had previously demonstrated their intention to retain Watkins despite significant interest from [Al-Hilal](https://readastonvilla.com/tag/al-hilal/). Rejecting those terms represents a clearer indication of the striker’s position.

Watkins did not travel with the Villa squad for Sunday’s Premier League opener against Brighton.

[Unai Emery subsequently declined to explain Watkins’ absence](https://readastonvilla.com/2026/08/23/unai-emery-refuses-to-answer-whether-ollie-watkins-refused-to-play-for-aston-villa/), telling reporters to direct their questions towards the player or his representative.

[Sky Sports reports](https://www.skysports.com/football/news/11677/13576353/ollie-watkins-transfer-news-aston-villa-boss-unai-emery-gives-cryptic-answer-when-asked-about-striker-amid-al-hilal-interest) that negotiations between Villa and Al-Hilal remain ongoing, although no transfer agreement has been confirmed.

## Aston Villa consider Watkins replacements

Villa are understood to have rejected four approaches from Al-Hilal, including the most recent proposal worth approximately £45m.

TEAMtalk claims the Saudi club are increasingly confident of completing a transfer, but assessments of how close the clubs are to an agreement differ.

Watkins’ reported contract rejection does not guarantee a departure. Villa must still agree an acceptable fee and determine whether they can secure a suitable replacement.

Chelsea striker Nicolas Jackson remains a leading candidate, with Villa having already [made a proposal as interest in the £65m-rated forward increased](https://readastonvilla.com/2026/08/21/aston-villa-make-nicolas-jackson-proposal-as-napoli-open-talks/).

The club have also [enquired about Manchester United forward Joshua Zirkzee](https://readastonvilla.com/2026/08/22/aston-villa-make-zirkzee-enquiry-as-watkins-replacement-search-widens/).

With Tammy Abraham and Brian Madjo working their way back from injury, Watkins’ future now carries immediate implications for Villa’s meeting with Arsenal on Monday, 31 August.