---
title: "Aston Villa striker Ollie Watkins set for Riyadh arrival"
canonical: "https://readastonvilla.com/2026/08/28/aston-villa-striker-ollie-watkins-set-for-riyadh-arrival/"
type: "post"
language: "en-GB"
author: "James Chettle"
section: "Aston Villa Transfer News"
published: "2026-08-28T08:35:19Z"
modified: "2026-09-22T10:55:46Z"
---

# Aston Villa striker Ollie Watkins set for Riyadh arrival

**Aston Villa striker Ollie Watkins is expected to arrive in Riyadh on Friday evening as his transfer to Al-Hilal moves towards completion. The England international is then set to undergo a medical over the weekend before finalising his departure from Villa Park.**

Villa accepted Al-Hilal’s offer for Watkins on Wednesday after weeks of negotiations between the two clubs.

[The National now reports that Watkins is expected in Riyadh on Friday evening](https://www.thenationalnews.com/sport/football/2026/08/28/ollie-watkins-expected-to-arrive-in-riyadh-ahead-of-al-hilal-move/?utm_source=chatgpt.com), providing another significant indication that there are few obstacles left before the transfer is formally completed.

The 30-year-old could even be available for Al-Hilal’s Saudi Pro League meeting with Al-Ahli on Tuesday if his medical and remaining formalities are completed in time.

> 🚨🔵⚪️ BREAKING: Al Hilal have now agreed all details of deal to sign Ollie Watkins, here we go!\
> \
> Exclusive details: Aston Villa accepted right now last bid worth €58.4m plus €2m add-ons for the English striker.\
> \
> Green light from [#AVFC](https://x.com/hashtag/AVFC?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw), travel this week. 💣🇸🇦 [pic.twitter.com/Ah1RDXB1He](https://t.co/Ah1RDXB1He)
>
> — Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) [August 26, 2026](https://x.com/FabrizioRomano/status/2092684884837863915?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw)

## Ollie Watkins closes in on Aston Villa exit

Villa had resisted Al-Hilal’s pursuit earlier in the window, rejecting several approaches before eventually sanctioning Watkins’ departure.

[ReadAstonVilla reported on Wednesday night that Villa had accepted Al-Hilal’s final offer](https://readastonvilla.com/2026/08/26/aston-villa-accept-ollie-watkins-exit-as-al-hilal-seal-deal/?utm_source=chatgpt.com), worth a reported €58.4million plus €2m in add-ons.

Watkins had previously [rejected Aston Villa’s proposed four-year contract](https://readastonvilla.com/2026/08/24/aston-villa-striker-ollie-watkins-rejects-four-year-contract-offer/?utm_source=chatgpt.com) as the Saudi club increased its efforts to sign him.

Villa have already moved to replace their leading striker.

A deal worth up to £65m has been agreed with Chelsea for Nicolas Jackson, with [Villa moving quickly to secure the Senegal international after agreeing Watkins’ departure](https://readastonvilla.com/2026/08/26/aston-villa-agree-65m-nicolas-jackson-deal-after-watkins-exit/?utm_source=chatgpt.com).

Watkins will leave after six years at Villa Park. He scored **108 goals in 278 appearances**, including 91 in the Premier League, and played a major role in Villa’s rise under Unai Emery.

His arrival in Saudi Arabia now takes a transfer saga which dominated much of Villa’s August towards its final stage.