Al Hilal accelerate Ollie Watkins plans before Al Ahli meeting

Al Hilal are preparing a special programme for Ollie Watkins as they look to have the England striker available for next Tuesday’s Saudi Pro League match against Al Ahli at Kingdom Arena in Riyadh.

The plan has been drawn up by Al Hilal head coach Simone Inzaghi, according to Saudi newspaper Al Riyadiya, after the club reportedly reached an agreement to sign Watkins from Aston Villa during the current summer transfer window.

Watkins, 30, is expected to travel to Riyadh on a private plane on Friday evening, with the intention of joining the Al Hilal squad ahead of the meeting with Al Ahli.

Al Riyadiya reported that Inzaghi has decided to put the forward on an individual preparation programme to help him become ready for the Riyadh club’s next major fixture.

The proposed move comes after reports on Wednesday that Al Hilal had completed a deal to bring Watkins to Saudi Arabia. Transfer expert Fabrizio Romano said on X: “Breaking: now Al Hilal have reached an agreement on all details of the deal to sign Ollie Watkins, here we go.”

Romano added: “Exclusive details: Aston Villa have now accepted the latest offer worth €58.4m plus €2m in add-ons for the English striker.. green light from Aston Villa and the player will travel to Saudi Arabia this week.”

The Saudi Pro League has changed the order of Al Hilal’s next two league matches because Al Ahli were preparing to play Auckland in their opening match of the Club World Cup on Wednesday.

As a result, Al Hilal will face Al Khaleej in their fourth-round fixture next Friday before meeting Al Ahli in the rearranged third-round game on 1 September.

The match at Kingdom Arena will be one of the first opportunities for Al Hilal supporters to see whether Watkins can be involved after his reported move from Aston Villa. The striker’s arrival would give Inzaghi another high-profile attacking option, although the club’s immediate focus is on completing his arrival and preparing him for the demanding schedule.

Al Ahli’s involvement in the Club World Cup led to the league fixture being moved, allowing the club to concentrate on its opening continental assignment before returning to domestic competition.

Reports of Watkins’ transfer have gathered pace since Wednesday, when the agreement with Aston Villa was first announced. The proposed package consists of an initial fee of €58.4m, with a further €2m available in add-ons, according to Romano.

Al Hilal are now working towards bringing the former Aston Villa forward into their squad in time for the clash with Al Ahli, while their next scheduled league match remains the meeting with Al Khaleej on Friday.