Al‑Hilal have tabled an offer approaching £40 million, but it remains well below Aston Villa’s valuation. With the Tuesday transfer deadline looming, Villa are prepared to stand firm on their all‑time leading Premier League scorer.
Negotiations appear distant, despite Unai Emery’s comment last week that the striker might be available.
Al‑Hilal, who brought in Crysensio Summerville from West Ham in July, would likely need to shift an overseas player to accommodate Watkins, even after sending Darwin Núñez on loan to Diriyah last week, adding further complexity to the talks.
Watkins has been training separately after returning from an extended post‑World Cup break, and sources say he has conveyed his desire to leave to the club’s hierarchy.
Neither Watkins nor his camp have issued public statements, leaving it unclear whether Al‑Hilal is his preferred destination.
The club has also remained silent on Emery’s reaction, notably his cryptic “silence” reply to Sky Sports when asked why the striker was omitted from the Brighton lineup, a comment that seemed to point the finger at Watkins.
It remains uncertain whether Villa view the Saudi offer for a 31‑year‑old striker—who featured intermittently under Emery last season—as worthwhile.
The genuine anguish surrounding a possible split may be fuelling the current stalemate.
The 30‑year‑old has netted 108 goals in 278 appearances for Villa since his then‑record £28 million move from Brentford, embodying the club’s ascent over the last six seasons.
His memorable performance in Istanbul—where he helped Villa clinch the Europa League and end a 30‑year trophy drought against Freiburg—could very well be his final outing for the club.
His exit would rank among the most poignant of this summer’s departures; although Ezri Konsa’s contributions were vital, Watkins’ goals, work ethic and personality made him a true Villa poster boy.
Described as grounded and family‑oriented, he enjoys an occasional round of golf but remains wholly focused on his football.
He has faced similar transfer speculation before, albeit at a lower level.
In 2017, Paul Tisdale omitted him at Exeter amid Derby interest; Watkins urged the manager to play, came off the bench and scored in a victory over Wycombe.
Considering his attitude and determination, Villa staff are taken aback by how his relationship with the club is concluding; such an outcome was not anticipated.
Had the player been less favored by the manager, Emery’s reaction might have been far more detached.
