Al Hilal tables €45M bid for Ollie Watkins; Villa push back

Al Hilal has tabled a €45M bid for Aston Villa striker Ollie Watkins as the 2026 summer transfer window nears its close (about two weeks left). The offer is below Watkins’ estimated market value of roughly €60M, so Aston Villa is unlikely to view it as a serious opening bid. Key details shape the negotiating stance. Watkins has reportedly already agreed personal terms with Al Hilal, suggesting he is open to a move to the Saudi Pro League. The transfer could also tie into Al Hilal’s plans for Karim Benzema, whose departure is reportedly under negotiation. Villa hold leverage because Watkins signed an extension in October 2023 tying him to the club until June 2028. Villa’s position is reinforced by their stated reluctance to sell. The article also notes Villa’s Saudi track record: they have previously sold Moussa Diaby and Jhon Duran to Saudi-based clubs. With limited time remaining, Al Hilal may need to raise the bid quickly—closer to or above the €60M valuation—to force a genuine conversation at Villa Park. The national-team angle is another constraint: a move to Saudi Arabia could affect how selectors view an England international.