Aston Villa have rejected Al Hilal's fourth offer for Ollie Watkins, with the Saudi Pro League club understood to have put forward a bid worth around £45million ($61.4m).
The latest approach adds another layer to a summer that has already featured interest from elsewhere, with Arsenal holding talks in January 2025 and Manchester United exploring a move last summer before signing Benjamin Sesko. Villa have also tried to keep the 30-year-old forward by proposing a new two-year extension on a deal that currently runs until 2028.
What Unai Emery said
Speaking on Friday, Unai Emery confirmed Villa have received offers for Watkins and said he does not know whether the striker will feature against Brighton & Hove Albion on Sunday afternoon, when Villa open their new season.
Emery said, in effect, that Villa are not looking to lose a key player, but that the situation could still change if the right outcome exists for the player, the club and a possible replacement. His message was clear: Watkins remains Villa's player for now, but the door is not fully closed.
Why this matters for Villa
The timing is important because Villa are heading into a Champions League campaign and need clarity at centre forward. Watkins has been one of the club's most important attackers since joining from Brentford in 2020, and his record underlines that value: 278 appearances and 108 goals.
There is also an immediate team issue to manage. Tammy Abraham is a doubt for the opener because of a groin injury, which makes Villa's forward options more delicate if Watkins is unavailable or if the uncertainty around his future continues.
For Watkins, the situation is now straightforward: Villa have resisted Al Hilal's latest push, but the interest is real and the asking point remains unresolved. For Villa, the task is to begin the season without letting one transfer story overshadow the bigger picture.
