Aston Villa faces Ollie Watkins' potential departure amid Saudi interest
4 sources • 1 min read • Latest: Aug 25, 2026, 6:07 AM
Last updated Aug 25, 2026
Ollie Watkins' time at Aston Villa appears to be ending as interest from Saudi Pro League club Al-Hilal grows. Despite four rejected offers close to £40 million, Villa remains firm on its asking price. The striker has reportedly expressed a desire to leave and has been training separately. His absence from the opening match against Brighton, which Villa lost 4-0, has sparked further speculation. Villa aims to resolve Watkins' situation by the transfer deadline next Tuesday, while also addressing Emi Martinez's uncertain future.
- •Watkins is 30 and has scored 108 goals for Villa.
- •Al-Hilal's offers have not met Villa's asking price.
- •Watkins trained alone after returning from an extended break.
- •Villa needs to resolve multiple transfer situations before the deadline.
- •The team suffered a 4-0 loss to Brighton in their season opener.
- 6:07 AMYahoo Sports — Why Ollie Watkins’ move to Saudi Arabia will tarnish his Aston Villa legacy
- 4:56 PMYahoo Sports — Watkins' departure would cut deepest - and Villa did not see it coming
- 4:43 PMBBC Sport — Watkins' departure would cut deepest - and Villa did not see it coming
"IN-DEPTH: The England striker seems dead set on leaving Villa in the lurch to join Al Hilal – which, Richard Jolly writes, is a great shame for a club and player who were very good for one another
"Ollie Watkins has been an Aston Villa legend but it appears his time at the club is nearing a painful end amid interest from Saudi Arabia.
"Ollie Watkins has been an Aston Villa legend but it appears his time at the club is nearing a painful end amid interest from Saudi Arabia.
Sources
External links- Yahoo SportsAug 25, 2026, 6:07 AMWhy Ollie Watkins’ move to Saudi Arabia will tarnish his Aston Villa legacy
IN-DEPTH: The England striker seems dead set on leaving Villa in the lurch to join Al Hilal – which, Richard Jolly writes, is a great shame for a club and player who were very good for one another
- Yahoo SportsAug 24, 2026, 4:56 PMWatkins' departure would cut deepest - and Villa did not see it coming
Ollie Watkins has been an Aston Villa legend but it appears his time at the club is nearing a painful end amid interest from Saudi Arabia.
- BBC SportAug 24, 2026, 4:43 PMWatkins' departure would cut deepest - and Villa did not see it coming
Ollie Watkins has been an Aston Villa legend but it appears his time at the club is nearing a painful end amid interest from Saudi Arabia.
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