Ollie Watkins to Al Hilal: Romano Confirms Saudi Talks

Ollie Watkins is contracted to Aston Villa until June 2028 — yet Fabrizio Romano reports the England striker is now linked with a move to Saudi Pro League champions Al Hilal. The news broke on September 2, 2026, and it immediately reframes how Premier League clubs value their starting forwards against Saudi spending power.

The Romano Report: What We Know

Fabrizio Romano, the transfer journalist with the strongest Saudi Pro League sources, reported that Al Hilal has made Watkins a priority target. The club, reportedly managed by Jorge Jesus, wants a proven Premier League goalscorer to anchor its attack for the 2026-27 campaign.

Here’s the thing: Watkins isn’t a free agent or a player entering the final year of his deal. His contract runs to 2028, which means Aston Villa holds all the leverage. Any move would require a transfer fee that reflects his value to a Champions League side.

Contract Until 2028: The Fee Question

Watkins signed his extension in October 2023, and that deal remains the central obstacle. Villa paid a premium to keep him, and they will demand a premium to let him go. Saudi media reports suggest a package well above £50 million.

That number matters because Al Hilal has spent aggressively since the Pro League’s investment wave began. But Villa’s position is strong — they don’t need to sell, and Watkins is their starting striker.

The reported fee would rank among the largest transfers in Saudi Pro League history if it lands near the higher estimates.

The 2023-24 Numbers That Made Him a Target

During the 2023-24 Premier League season, Watkins recorded 19 goals and 13 assists for Aston Villa. That’s 32 direct goal involvements in a single campaign — elite output that placed him among the league’s top attacking contributors.

Metric	Ollie Watkins (2023-24)	Context
Goals	19	Top-five Premier League striker output
Assists	13	Highest among Villa attackers
Contract expiry	June 2028	Villa holds full negotiating power
Reported fee	£50m+ (reportedly)	Reflects 32 goal involvements

[Stat] Watkins produced 32 direct goal involvements in 2023-24 — the benchmark Al Hilal is paying for.

Al Hilal’s Saudi Pro League Ambitions

Al Hilal, reportedly managed by Jorge Jesus, has rebuilt around foreign stars since the Pro League’s spending push. Watkins would join a front line already featuring elite international talent, and his Premier League pedigree would raise the club’s global profile.

The Saudi side sees Ollie Watkins as a statement signing — a player who can deliver goals immediately in a league that rewards clinical finishing. His 13 assists also suggest he can create for others, a trait Jesus values in his attacking setup. A move would echo the recent mutual contract termination of Karim Benzema at the same club, signalling a fresh attacking era.

What Happens Next

The next 72 hours will determine whether this moves beyond talks. Villa must decide if a reported £50 million-plus fee justifies losing their starting striker mid-season. Al Hilal, meanwhile, needs to convince Watkins that a move to Riyadh outweighs Champions League football at Villa Park.

If the deal completes, it would rank among the largest transfers in Saudi Pro League history. If it collapses, Watkins stays in Birmingham — and Villa keeps a striker who delivered 32 goal involvements in his best Premier League season.

Either way, the reported fee sets a new benchmark for Saudi clubs targeting Premier League starters.