Mateta bid rejected, Aston Villa ‘to target’ Nicolas Jackson as Al-Hilal close on Watkins | OneFootball

Aston Villa are scrambling for a centre-forward as Ollie Watkins edges towards a move to Al-Hilal in the Roshn League.

Watkins, 30, sat out Villa’s heavy four-goal defeat to Brighton on the opening day of 2026-27, a clear sign an exit is close.

The Athletic reports that Villa made an official bid for Jean-Philippe Mateta, who is contracted to Crystal Palace until summer 2027, but the Eagles rejected it as below their valuation.

Meanwhile, Sky Sports reports that Unai Emery has urged the board to switch focus to Chelsea striker Nicolas Jackson.

That deal looks strongly likely to go through, with Jackson no longer in the plans of the Blues’ hierarchy or new manager Xabi Alonso, and the forward seeking a fresh start.

All this arrives before Villa host Premier League champions Arsenal next Monday, a test that could expose the gap if Watkins completes his Al-Hilal switch.

Source: Goal.com

“Artificial intelligence was used to assist in creating this article based on reporting from the original source quoted.”