Aston Villa open striker slot as Watkins flies to Al Hilal

Aston Villa will lose striker Ollie Watkins as he travels to Saudi Arabia this week to seal a £50 million transfer to Al Hilal, clearing a vacancy and paving the way for 25‑year‑old Nicolas Jackson to arrive from Chelsea for a fee that could reach £65 million, a move that could see him debut for the West Midlands side on Monday.

The story was reported by TOM COLLOMOSSE and KIERAN GILL of MAIL’s FOOTBALL section on 26 August 2026.

Striker vacancy after Watkins exit

Watkins did not feature against Brighton last Sunday, despite being Villa’s only fit striker, and the side suffered a 4‑0 defeat. His absence highlighted the club’s lack of options up front and intensified pressure on manager Unai Emery to find a replacement.

The striker is set to travel to Saudi Arabia this week to finalize a £50 million transfer to Al Hilal, a move that will bring a substantial pay rise and sees him join the Saudi Pro League, ending the protracted Watkins saga that has occupied Villa.

Villa’s summer exodus continues with senior players Youri Tielemans, Lucas Digne, Morgan Rogers and Ezri Konsa all departing, while goalkeeper Emi Martinez has been offered to Chelsea. Rogers’ move to Stamford Bridge fetched a club‑record £117 million, underscoring the scale of the turnover.

Jackson's arrival amid summer exits

Twenty‑five‑year‑old Nicolas Jackson is due for a medical this week and could make his Villa debut against Arsenal on Monday. The West Midlands club has agreed a fee of up to £65 million with Chelsea, and the player will reunite with manager Unai Emery.

Jackson expressed interest in returning to Villa to work with Emery again after their spell together at Villarreal, a link first reported by Sport last month. His name surfaced during Chelsea‑Villa negotiations centred on Morgan Rogers, whose £117 million transfer sparked the discussion.

Alejandro Garnacho joined Villa on loan from Chelsea this summer, but rules mean only a permanent deal could follow for Jackson. Meanwhile, clubs such as Tottenham Hotspur and Atletico Madrid have also shown interest in the 25‑year‑old forward.

The completion of Watkins’ £50 million exit is described as a relief for all concerned, while Jackson’s pending medical remains the final hurdle before he can feature for Villa. Should the deal close, the club will have addressed its striker shortage.