Watkins keen on €45m Al-Hilal switch, paving way for Aston Villa move for Nicolas Jackson | OneFootball

Ollie Watkins is keen on a move to Saudi Pro League side Al-Hilal in a transfer that could accelerate Aston Villa's pursuit of Nicolas Jackson.

Al-Hilal have opened talks with Aston Villa over a deal to sign Watkins for a fee of around €45m (£38.5m).

The Saudi side want Watkins to lead a new-look attack, as talks continue over the termination of Karim Benzema's contract with the club. Al-Hilal are also in conversations to allow Darwin Nunez to exit this summer.

Fabrizio Romano is reporting that Watkins is open to the lucrative move to Saudi Arabia. The 30-year-old has scored 108 goals in 278 games across six seasons at Villa Park, including 21 in all competitions last season.

He could become the latest player to swap England for Al-Hilal, after Crysencio Summerville's £60m move to the club from West Ham earlier this summer.

Al-Hilal's pursuit of Watkins could be the domino for Nicolas Jackson's future.Aston Villa hold a strong interest in the Senegalese striker, who Unai Emery knows well from his time at Villarreal.

Chelsea want £65m for the 25-year-old, who scored 11 goals on loan at Bayern Munich last season. Napoli have also made enquiries about Jackson in recent days.