Aston Villa Eye Nicolas Jackson as Watkins Replacement
Aston Villa are lining up Chelsea forward Nicolas Jackson as a potential replacement if Ollie Watkins is prised away by Al Hilal.
Chelsea value Jackson at around £65m and, with Villa braced for a decisive push from Saudi Arabia for their star striker, the 23-year-old has emerged as a leading candidate to step in should Watkins go.
Villa brace for Al Hilal push
Al Hilal remain in talks over Watkins, who is understood to be open to a move to Saudi Arabia. At least one bid has already been knocked back, with their opening offer coming in at about £38.5m – well short of Villa’s stance.
Villa do not want to sell. Watkins is central to everything Unai Emery has built: 16 Premier League goals last season, a driving force in their Europa League triumph and a key figure in securing another year of Champions League football. He has also been named in England’s 2026 World Cup squad.
But the pressure is building.
“We have an issue with him, it is clear,” Emery admitted before Sunday’s game against Brighton.
“We had offers for him but he is our player. I don't want to sell him but it can change if it is a good option for him, the club and I can replace him in the squad.
“There is 10 days to finish the transfer window, we will see. He is our player and I am happy with him.”
Asked directly if Watkins had asked to leave, Emery replied: “I don't know, maybe you have more information than us! Football is changing. The players are professional and Watkins is our player.”
Watkins, 30, is being targeted by Al Hilal as a potential successor to Karim Benzema, with the Saudi club also working on a solution to the Frenchman’s contract to allow him to depart.
Jackson on the radar – and a familiar face
If Watkins goes, Villa are expected to move for Jackson. Chelsea want a permanent sale after the Senegal international spent last season on loan at Bayern Munich, and they have set a £65m price.
Atletico Madrid are also keen on Jackson, but their preference is a loan. That stance leaves Villa in a stronger position if they commit to a full transfer.
There is already a strong line of communication between the two Premier League clubs. Chelsea and Villa have done significant business this summer, including the record-breaking deal for Morgan Rogers and Alejandro Garnacho’s switch to claret and blue.
Jackson would not be walking into the unknown at Villa Park. He previously played under Emery at Villarreal, a link that could prove decisive if Villa are forced into the market late in the window.
Martinez pushes for “another challenge”
Up front is not Emery’s only headache.
The Villa manager has also confirmed that Emiliano Martinez wants to leave in search of “another challenge” in his career, adding another layer of uncertainty to a squad preparing for a demanding season on multiple fronts.
Villa have already moved to protect themselves, signing Japan international Zion Suzuki from Parma this summer. A proposed move to Juventus for Martinez collapsed, leaving the Argentina goalkeeper still at the club as the window ticks down.
“We have two excellent keepers,” Emery said. “We have signed Suzuki not for the future, but for now. He has shown his capacity and that he can play at our level.”
“Martinez transmitted to us the possibility to have another challenge in his career, not just now and even last year, and he was thinking in case he had a possibility to change his challenges, but he stayed and performed fantastic.”
“This year, again, he transmitted to us for a new challenge, and we signed Suzuki to replace him. But the scenario we have is that we have two great goalkeepers. We will see what will happen.”
Ten days of the window remain. Al Hilal are circling Watkins, Martinez is eyeing the exit, and Jackson is waiting in the wings. Villa’s season could be reshaped in a matter of hours – the only question is how bold they are prepared to be when the bids finally hit the number they cannot refuse.
