Ollie Watkins is on the verge of leaving Aston Villa for Al Hilal after the Saudi Pro League club reached an agreement with the Premier League side over a deal for the England international.

According to the latest reports, Al Hilal have agreed all the major details of the transfer after Aston Villa accepted a final bid worth €58.4 million, with a further €2 million available in add-ons. The agreement represents a significant development in one of the most eye-catching late moves of the transfer window.

The green light has reportedly been given by Villa, with Watkins expected to travel to Saudi Arabia later this week to complete the transfer.

For Aston Villa, it marks the end of an important chapter. For Ollie Watkins, it could represent the beginning of an entirely new phase of his career.

Ollie Watkins gives green light to Al Hilal move

The latest breakthrough means the move to Al Hilal is now at an advanced stage, with the remaining steps expected to focus on the formal completion of the transfer.

Al Hilal’s final offer was reportedly worth €58.4 million upfront, with another €2 million in potential add-ons. Aston Villa have accepted the proposal, giving the Saudi club permission to proceed with the final stages of the deal.

The agreement is particularly significant because Watkins has been one of Villa’s most important players since joining the club from Brentford.

His departure will leave a substantial hole in Unai Emery’s attacking options, particularly given the striker’s consistency in front of goal and his importance to Villa’s progress in recent seasons.

Watkins is now expected to travel this week, with the move to Al Hilal poised to be completed once the remaining formalities are handled.

Why Al Hilal wanted Ollie Watkins

Al Hilal have been looking to strengthen their attacking options with a striker capable of delivering immediately at the highest level.

Ollie Watkins fits that profile. The England international has established himself as one of the Premier League’s most reliable forwards, combining intelligent movement with pace, physical strength and an ability to attack space behind defensive lines.

His style also makes him particularly useful in a side that wants to play quickly in transition.

Watkins’ willingness to make runs beyond the defensive line has been one of his defining characteristics at Villa, while his pressing ability allows him to contribute even when he is not scoring.

Those qualities should make him an attractive addition to Al Hilal as they compete domestically and pursue ambitions on the continental stage.

The Saudi club’s willingness to commit more than €60 million when add-ons are included underlines how highly they value the striker.

Aston Villa face major attacking challenge

While the financial package represents a substantial return for Villa, replacing Ollie Watkins will be one of Emery’s biggest challenges.

The striker has become deeply integrated into Villa’s attacking identity since arriving from Brentford. His goals, movement and work rate have helped the club compete for European football and establish itself among the Premier League’s ambitious sides.

Losing him at this stage of the transfer window therefore creates an immediate recruitment problem.

Villa must now decide how to replace his goals and whether the solution should be another established striker or a younger forward who can develop into Watkins’ long-term successor.

The timing makes the situation even more complicated.

With the transfer window approaching its conclusion, Villa have limited time to identify a suitable replacement, negotiate a deal and complete the necessary paperwork.

Emery will also have to consider whether the existing squad contains enough attacking quality to absorb the loss.

A new chapter for Watkins in Saudi Arabia

For Ollie Watkins, the transfer represents a major career decision.

At 30 years old, the striker is moving into a different stage of his career, and the opportunity to join Al Hilal offers him the chance to experience a new league while potentially securing a lucrative contract.

The Saudi Pro League has continued to attract established international players, and Watkins now appears set to become the latest Premier League name to make the journey.

His arrival would give Al Hilal an experienced English forward who already understands the demands of playing at a high level.

It could also provide Watkins with an opportunity to become one of the leading attacking figures in Saudi football rather than simply another high-profile arrival.

The move to Al Hilal therefore carries sporting significance as well as financial implications.

Watkins transfer moves towards completion

The latest agreement leaves little standing in the way of Ollie Watkins completing his transfer.

Aston Villa have accepted the €58.4 million bid, with another €2 million in potential add-ons, while the Saudi club have reportedly agreed the remaining details of the deal.

With Watkins expected to travel to Saudi Arabia this week, the transfer is now approaching its final stages.

Villa will soon have to focus on life without one of their most influential attackers, while Al Hilal can look forward to adding a proven Premier League goalscorer to their squad.

For Watkins, meanwhile, the move to Al Hilal represents a dramatic change after years of establishing himself as a Premier League star.

If the final formalities go according to plan, the England striker will soon leave Villa Park behind and begin a new chapter in Saudi Arabia.