Ollie Watkins set to arrive in Saudi Arabia ahead of Al Hilal move

Ollie Watkins is expected to arrive in Riyadh on Friday as he prepares to complete his move from Aston Villa to Al Hilal, according to Saudi newspaper Al Yaum.

The report says the agreement between Watkins and Al Hilal has been finalised, with the transfer now at its closing stages. The only remaining step is the official announcement of the deal.

Al Hilal have reportedly reached a final agreement on all terms of the England international’s contract after Aston Villa accepted the Saudi club’s latest offer. The proposed fee is €58.4m, with a further €2m available in incentives and add-ons.

Watkins is expected to sign a four-year contract with Al Hilal.

The 30-year-old has been one of Aston Villa’s most important attacking players since joining the club from Brentford in 2020. Across 278 appearances for Villa, he has scored 108 goals and provided 47 assists, establishing himself among the club’s leading figures.

His potential departure would bring an end to a significant spell at Aston Villa, where his goals and creative contribution have made him a central part of the team’s attack. The figures reported for his time at the club have placed him among Aston Villa’s modern greats.

However, Watkins has only two years remaining on his current contract. That situation is understood to have encouraged Aston Villa to take a flexible approach to the possibility of allowing him to leave.

The proposed move would see Watkins continue his career in Saudi Arabia after six years with Aston Villa. His arrival in Riyadh on Friday is intended to pave the way for the final procedures before the transfer is formally confirmed.

Al Hilal’s agreement to pay €58.4m up front, potentially rising by another €2m through incentives and add-ons, represents the final offer accepted by Aston Villa. The deal is therefore understood to be complete in principle, subject only to the official announcement.

Watkins joined Aston Villa from Brentford in 2020 and quickly became a key attacking option for the club. His record of 108 goals and 47 assists in 278 matches reflects the scale of his contribution since arriving.

With the contract reportedly set to run for four years, the move would mark a new stage in the career of an England international who has spent the past six seasons at Aston Villa. For now, the next significant development is his expected arrival in Riyadh on Friday, followed by confirmation from Al Hilal.