Aston Villa Agree to Sell Ollie Watkins to Al-Hilal, Move for Chelsea's Nicolas Jackson as Replacement

Aston Villa have agreed a deal to sell striker Ollie Watkins to Saudi Pro League side Al-Hilal, and have moved quickly to line up Chelsea's Nicolas Jackson as his replacement.

Villa have accepted an offer of around £50 million for Watkins, who is now expected to travel to Riyadh to complete a medical and sign a three-year contract reportedly worth close to £15 million a year. The 30-year-old had turned down repeated approaches from Villa over a new deal, and Unai Emery's side had held off accepting bids until a replacement was secured.

That replacement is Jackson, valued by Chelsea at up to £65 million. The Senegal international spent last season on loan at Bayern Munich and previously worked under Emery at Villarreal, a connection reportedly key to Villa's move for him. Chelsea have deepened their forward options this summer with Liam Delap and Joao Pedro already in, making Jackson available for transfer.

Watkins leaves Villa Park having scored 108 goals in 278 appearances since arriving from Brentford in 2020, including 21 goals last season as Villa won the Europa League. His departure leaves Villa light up front in the short term, with Tammy Abraham still sidelined through injury, adding urgency to getting Jackson's move over the line before the transfer window closes.