Al Hilal pursue Ollie Watkins as Benzema exit looms
Al Hilal have had one offer rejected but remain engaged in talks to sign Ollie Watkins, who is being positioned as a potential replacement for Karim Benzema.
Al Hilal are in active negotiations with Aston Villa to secure the services of England striker Ollie Watkins, according to reports from Sky Sports. The Saudi Arabian club has previously submitted an offer that was rejected by the English side, but discussions regarding a potential transfer remain ongoing.
The move is being driven by Al Hilal’s desire to replace Karim Benzema, with the club working to resolve the French forward’s contract situation to facilitate his departure. Benzema joined Al Hilal from Al Ittihad in February on an 18-month deal and scored 10 goals in 15 appearances during his first half-season in Riyadh, though his long-term future at the club is now uncertain.
Watkins, 30, arrives at the centre of this interest following a productive campaign for Aston Villa. He scored 16 Premier League goals last season, contributing to the club’s victory in the Europa League and their qualification for the Champions League. He has established himself as a key attacking figure since joining from Brentford in 2020, accumulating more than 100 goals for the club.
The striker’s recent form has also seen him selected for Thomas Tuchel’s England squad for the 2026 World Cup. However, his availability for Aston Villa’s upcoming season opener against Brighton is in question. Both Watkins and defender Ezri Konsa missed pre-season training due to extended breaks following their international commitments.
Compounding the challenges for Aston Villa ahead of their match at the Amex Stadium are fresh injury concerns. New signing Joao Gomes and 17-year-old Brian Madjo have been ruled out, joining Amadou Onana and new recruit Johan Manzambi on the sidelines. The club has also navigated the pre-season departures of Morgan Rogers and Youri Tielemans, adding to the uncertainty surrounding their starting lineup.
