Aston Villa striker Ollie Watkins reportedly arrives in Saudi Arabia for Al-Hilal transfer

English striker Ollie Watkins, a key player for Aston Villa, has reportedly arrived in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, to finalize a transfer to Saudi club Al-Hilal. The move is expected to be announced imminently during the current summer transfer window.

According to Saudi newspaper Al-Sharq Al-Awsat, Watkins arrived in the Saudi capital on Friday evening and was met by officials from Al-Hilal. The club has reportedly agreed to purchase his contract from Aston Villa for a fee of €58 million, with an additional €2 million in performance-related bonuses.

This potential transfer comes as Aston Villa has reportedly secured the signing of Senegalese international Nicolas Jackson from Chelsea. Jackson's arrival is seen as a direct replacement for Watkins, signaling the club's preparedness for his departure.

The move would represent a significant transfer for Al-Hilal and highlights the growing influence of Saudi Arabian clubs in the global football market, attracting top talent from European leagues.