Saudi club Al-Hilal continues its efforts to sign Aston Villa striker Ollie Watkins during the ongoing summer transfer window, despite the English club rejecting the initial offer from the Saudi side.
According to the British agency "The Athletic" on Thursday, Al-Hilal's management has received positive signals from Watkins' circle regarding his desire to move to the Saudi club and leave the English Premier League.
Aston Villa had rejected an offer from Al-Hilal worth 38.5 million pounds on Tuesday, but this did not deter the Saudi club from its pursuit of the English striker.
The English newspaper noted that Al-Hilal's interest in Watkins has been long-standing, highlighting the good relationship between Simon Francis, Al-Hilal's football director, and the player's circle.
Watkins, 30 years old, has been open to ending his stint with Aston Villa since the start of the summer transfer window, particularly before joining the England squad led by German manager Thomas Tuchel, which participated in the 2026 World Cup.
On the other hand, Spanish manager Unai Emery, Aston Villa's head coach, insists on Watkins remaining with the team, as he relies on him as a key figure in his plans for the new season.
Thus, Al-Hilal remains committed to completing the deal, despite Aston Villa's rejection of the initial offer, awaiting the outcome of further attempts before the summer transfer window closes.
