Aston Villa have reportedly reached an agreement with Al Hilal over the transfer of striker Ollie Watkins, in a deal worth around €60m in total.
The 30-year-old joined us from Brentford in 2020 and has gone on to score 108 goals and provide 47 assists in 278 appearances the club.
While he has been a fundamental part of our progress and success in recent years, the England international sadly soured his relationship with supporters after his absence from our squad for the Premier League clash with Brighton this past weekend.
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It appears as though Watkins has finally now got his move to Saudi Arabia secured, as Fabrizio Romano reports that a deal has been agreed between the two clubs, with an initial €58.4m being paid plus €2m in add-ons, and with Villa now sanctioning the switch, he will travel this week to undergo his medical and complete the formalities of his move.
With Watkins departing, it leaves a major void in our attack, and so Unai Emery will be desperate to move quickly to replace him as speculation is heavily suggesting that a deal is close to complete the signing of Chelsea forward Nicolas Jackson.
It would mean a reunion between the Senegalese international and Emery after their time working together previously at Villarreal, and it’s hoped that should it go through as expected now, he proves to be an excellent successor in leading the line for us this season and beyond.
As for Watkins though, it’s a bitterly disappointing way to end his time with us as while there is no issue with him wanting to leave for whatever reason, the way he has seemingly conducted himself over the past week or so in showing a lack of respect towards Villa and Emery by not being available for training and our opening league game of the season, will not sit right with many fans as we look back at his overall stint with us.
There will undoubtedly be gratitude given what he has contributed in helping us achieve the success we that have enjoyed, particularly under Emery, and it’s now hoped that our next chapter is even more successful for us as we rebuild the squad.