Photo by James Gill - Danehouse/Getty Images
Photo by James Gill - Danehouse/Getty Images
Not many will have seen this coming at the start of the summer window, but England and Aston Villa striker Ollie Watkins could end up at Al Hilal – and Chelsea could profit.
A whopping £117m has already ended up in Chelsea’s coffers from Aston Villa for the transfer of Morgan Rogers this summer. That could reach £160m by the end of next season, thanks to Alejandro Garnacho.
Where will Chelsea finish in the Premier League in 2026/27?
Let's hear how you think Xabi Alonso will get on this season…
Garnacho is on loan at Villa, but an easily met conditional obligation will make a deal permanent and see Chelsea receive £43m for the Argentine. Now, Ollie Watkins could inadvertently earn Chelsea some cash.
Al Hilal are set to wave goodbye to Darwin Nunez, while legendary striker Karim Benzema is also set to leave. The Saudi Arabian side want to replace Benzema with the signing of Villa striker Watkins.
READ MORE: Chelsea get a £50m boost in pursuit of possible Enzo Fernandez replacement
Ollie Watkins set for Al Hilal; it may earn Chelsea a huge £65m
On Tuesday evening, Fabrizio Romano reported that Watkins is keen on a move to Al Hilal. The Saudi side, managed by Simone Inzaghi, have made a £40m bid with add-ons and Watkins is said to be interested.
Crystal Palace v Aston Villa - Premier League
Photo by Julian Finney/Getty Images
“Al Hilal submit official bid to Aston Villa for Ollie Watkins worth €45m total package, add-ons included. Watkins is keen on Al Hilal move while the final decision is in Aston Villa’s hands,” Romano reported.
It sees Villa needing to sign a high-profile striker in place of Watkins if the former Brentford man does end up moving to Saudi Arabia. It is no secret that Unai Emery wants a reunion with Nicolas Jackson.
While Villa cannot sign Jackson on loan, Emery’s side remain interested in Jackson, and it appears the striker is keen on a move to Villa. Chelsea have slapped a £65m price tag on the striker’s shoulders.
Chelsea FC v Johor Darul Ta'zim F.C. - Pre-Season Friendly
Photo by Darren Walsh/Chelsea FC via Getty Images
Watkins joining Al Hilal and leaving Villa Park then, could result in Villa intensifying their pursuit of a reunion between Emery and Jackson. Watkins’ move could end up earning a massive £65m payday.
Xabi Alonso has finally made a decision on Nicolas Jackson
Jackson returned to Chelsea this summer after a loan at Bayern Munich, where he impressed despite playing second fiddle to Harry Kane. But Chelsea have also signed two new strikers this summer.
Nicolas Jackson's and Liam Delap's stats
Credit: Jonathan Moscrop/Visionhaus via Getty Images
Danny Welbeck and Emmanuel Emegha’s arrivals leave Xabi Alonso with six strikers. Joao Pedro and Welbeck are first and second-choice, while Liam Delap and Marc Guiu will be allowed to depart.
It has led to Alonso having to make a decision between Emegha and Jackson, and reports say the boss has chosen to stick with Emegha given he’s only just joined. Jackson will now be available to depart.