Al-Hilal ‘close to finalising’ deal for Watkins | OneFootball

Aston Villa are prepared to let Ollie Watkins leave, with a move to Saudi Pro League side Al-Hilal nearing completion. The England forward is expected to travel for a medical in the coming days.

The Athletic reports that Al-Hilal are close to finalising a deal worth an initial £50m plus performance-related add-ons, with a three-year contract lined up after his medical.

Villa will bank a major return after paying £28m plus £5m to sign him from Brentford in 2020. He has recorded 108 goals and 47 assists in 278 appearances for the West Midlands club.

Villa have already moved to replace him, agreeing a £65m package with Chelsea for Nicolas Jackson on Wednesday. Watkins was omitted from the 4-0 opening-day defeat to Brighton, then returned to training on Monday and apologised to team-mates.

Unai Emery initially sidestepped questions about the striker after that defeat, saying the situation rested with the player and his agent and that he would keep his counsel. He later said any sale depended on the market, and would only happen if it suited the player and club and he could replace him.

Watkins missed only one match last season, making 55 appearances, scoring 21 goals and adding five assists as Villa lifted the Europa League. The club tried to extend his contract to 2030 from its current 2028 end date, but informal approaches were turned down.

Even with Jackson imminent, Emery’s side are short in attack. Tammy Abraham is out for the start of the campaign, 17-year-old Brian Madjo is sidelined until at least September, and Ross Barkley filled in as a makeshift No 9 against Brighton.

Source: Goal.com

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