Terms agreed, fee still missing
Al-Hilal wanted Harry Kane. Then Victor Osimhen. They have ended up with a yes from Ollie Watkins.
The England striker has agreed personal terms with the Saudi Pro League club, TEAMtalk reported earlier today, and Al-Hilal are now ready to open formal talks with Aston Villa. No fee has been discussed between the two clubs. That gap is the entire distance between an agreement in principle and an actual transfer.
Kane stayed committed to Bayern Munich when Al-Hilal approached his camp. Osimhen made it clear he has no appetite for leaving European football at this point in his career. Watkins, 29, took the call and listened.
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Villa are willing to listen
Villa are understood to be open to a sale if the offer is large enough. Watkins remains under contract, so Al-Hilal know a substantial fee is coming their way before anything is signed.
The Midlands club also know how this works. Moussa Diaby and Jhon Duran both left for the Saudi Pro League in recent windows, and that existing relationship tends to shorten negotiations rather than drag them out.
Watkins arrived from Brentford in 2020 and spent six seasons as the reference point of Villa’s attack, through Champions League qualification and last season’s Europa League triumph over Freiburg. Finding that output again in the closing fortnight of a transfer window is not a small job for Unai Emery.
A rebuilt Al-Hilal front line
Crysencio Summerville has already arrived from West Ham United. Al-Hilal want another wide player on top of a striker, and Manchester City’s Savinho and Chelsea’s Pedro Neto have both been monitored.
Watkins is the striker piece of that plan. With personal terms settled, what happens next depends on Al-Hilal’s opening bid and on the number Villa decide to put on their No.11.
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