Al Hilal Pursues Ollie Watkins as Benzema Successor
Al Hilal have opened talks with Aston Villa over a deal for striker Ollie Watkins, pushing hard to prise away one of the Premier League club’s undisputed talismen.
The Saudi side have already seen an initial bid rejected, but the conversation has not stopped there. Negotiations are active, with both clubs exploring whether there is a formula that would tempt Villa while satisfying Al Hilal’s need for a new marquee No 9.
Watkins lined up as Benzema successor
Watkins has been identified as a leading candidate to step into the role currently occupied by Karim Benzema. Al Hilal are working on a solution to the Frenchman’s contract situation that would allow him to leave, and any breakthrough there is expected to accelerate their push for the Villa forward.
Benzema only arrived at Al Hilal from Al Ittihad in February on an 18‑month deal and made a fast impact in Riyadh, scoring 10 goals in 15 appearances in his first half-season. Now his future is uncertain, and Al Hilal are moving aggressively to ensure they are not left light in attack.
Watkins’ appeal is obvious. He is coming off a standout campaign in which he scored 16 league goals for Aston Villa, spearheading a season that delivered the Europa League title and secured another year of Champions League football for Unai Emery’s side. His club form also carried him into England’s 2026 World Cup squad, underlining his rise into the elite bracket of forwards.
Since arriving from Brentford in 2020, the 30‑year‑old has grown into the heartbeat of Villa’s attack, passing the 100‑goal mark for the club and becoming central to Emery’s high-tempo, front-foot style. Losing him now would rip a hole in Villa’s plans just as they re-establish themselves among Europe’s heavyweights.
Villa’s turbulent build-up
All of this plays out against a restless backdrop at Villa Park.
A summer that already felt uneasy after the exits of Morgan Rogers and Youri Tielemans briefly brightened when Villa produced a spirited display against Paris Saint-Germain in the UEFA Super Cup final. The result went against them, but the performance did not.
New signing Joao Gomes looked immediately at home, snapping into challenges and knitting play together, while 17‑year‑old Brian Madjo seized the stage with another eye-catching display. In a pre-season clouded by departures, those two offered a glimpse of something fresh.
Then came another setback. Both Gomes and Madjo have reportedly picked up injuries on the eve of the Premier League opener against Brighton, a double blow that leaves Emery’s squad stretched again. They join Amadou Onana and new arrival Johan Manzambi on the sidelines, trimming options in key areas just as the season begins.
Against that injury list and the churn of the summer, Al Hilal’s pursuit of Watkins lands like another test of Villa’s resolve. Hold their line and they keep their focal point. Blink, and they may have to rebuild the heart of their attack on the fly.
