Al-Hilal agree deal to sign Aston Villa striker Ollie Watkins, says The Sun

Al-Hilal have reached an agreement with Aston Villa to sign striker Ollie Watkins during the current summer transfer window, according to English newspaper The Sun.

Watkins is set to leave Aston Villa after six seasons with the club. The England forward was absent from Villa’s opening Premier League match against Brighton, which ended in a 4-0 defeat for Unai Emery’s side.

The Sun reports that Al-Hilal are finalising the details of the transfer fee, with the overall value potentially reaching £65m if certain add-ons are agreed.

Watkins’ departure would bring an end to his six-year spell at Aston Villa. Last season, he made 55 appearances for the club in all competitions, scoring 21 goals and providing five assists.

Aston Villa are understood to be close to completing a deal for Senegal international Nicolas Jackson, who would arrive from Chelsea as Watkins’ replacement.

The Sun says Jackson is due to undergo a medical at Aston Villa on Thursday, with an official announcement expected after that process. If the transfer is completed in time, the striker could be available for Villa’s next Premier League fixture.

Aston Villa are preparing to face Arsenal, the reigning league champions, on Monday. Jackson could therefore be in contention for a place in the squad for that match, subject to the completion of his move and registration.

Watkins’ absence from Villa’s opening game against Brighton came as the club began the new Premier League campaign with a heavy defeat. Brighton scored four times without reply, leaving Aston Villa to prepare for a demanding fixture against Arsenal in their next league outing.

The proposed move to Al-Hilal would see Watkins become the latest high-profile forward to leave English football for Saudi Arabia. However, the reported agreement remains subject to the final details of the fee, including the possible add-ons that could take the deal to £65m.

For Aston Villa, the potential arrival of Jackson would provide an immediate replacement in attack as the club prepares for the rest of the Premier League season. The 21-goal campaign recorded by Watkins last season means Villa would be losing their leading attacking contributor from the previous term, while Jackson’s medical and the subsequent formal announcement are the next steps before his move can be confirmed.

Al-Hilal’s agreement with Aston Villa, as reported by The Sun, would bring Watkins’ time at the club to a close after six seasons and open the next stage of his career in Saudi Arabia.