Aston Villa manager Unai Emery has reportedly emerged as a target for Saudi Pro League giants Al-Hilal.
Emery has been included on a three-man shortlist alongside Pep Guardiola and Julian Nagelsmann should Al-Hilal decide to replace Simone Inzaghi.
Sport Witness reports that Emery is one of the names being considered by Al-Hilal after transforming Villa into regular European contenders.
The development comes just hours before Villa host Nottingham Forest in the Premier League.
Unai Emery linked with Al-Hilal move
Emery has been at the centre of Villa’s rise since arriving at Villa Park in 2022.
He has subsequently delivered European qualification in every season covered by the report and guided Villa to Europa League success last term.
That work has inevitably attracted interest elsewhere.
Sport Witness cites reports claiming Al-Hilal have identified Emery, Guardiola and Nagelsmann as potential options if they make a managerial change.
There is no suggestion at this stage that Villa have received an approach or that Emery intends to leave.
His current contract runs until 2029, while Villa director Damian Vidagany has previously insisted the Spaniard remains happy at the club despite interest from elsewhere.
That should give Villa considerable protection should another club eventually make a serious move.
Al-Hilal already have major Aston Villa connection
Al-Hilal are certainly familiar with Villa.
The Saudi club completed the signing of Ollie Watkins during the summer after a lengthy pursuit of the England striker.
Read Aston Villa covered Watkins’ £51million move to Al-Hilal after the forward brought his six-year stay at Villa Park to an end.
Villa then rebuilt their attack around Nicolas Jackson, who opened his account during Tuesday’s Champions League victory over Club Brugge.
John McGinn has since backed Jackson to become a major player for Villa as Emery attempts to establish his new-look side.
Losing the manager responsible for overseeing that rebuild would be a considerably bigger concern.
For now, however, the Al-Hilal interest appears to be at shortlist stage rather than an active attempt to prise Emery away from Villa Park.
His immediate attention will instead be on Nottingham Forest and Villa’s search for their first Premier League victory of the season.
