Harry Kane
Harry Kane has not ruled out leaving Bayern Munich for the Saudi Pro League (Photo: Getty)
Amid their pursuit of England strikers Harry Kane and Ollie Watkins, Al Hilal are reportedly in talks to sign a forgotten Chelsea star.
With Ballon d’Or winner Karim Benzema set to leave, the Saudi Pro League side are in the market for a new top-class centre-forward.
While it is said that Kane is open to a move to the Middle East, his preference for now is to stay at Bayern Munich, with negotiations over a new contract underway.
Meanwhile, Watkins is said to be keen on the transfer, though Villa are understandably reluctant to lose their talisman, especially after selling Morgan Rogers to Chelsea earlier this summer.
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The Villans have already turned down three bids from Al Hilal, the latest worth £40million, but talks are ongoing and a deal could be struck if Unai Emery can bring in a suitable replacement.
Chelsea’s Nicolas Jackson, who is up for sale after spending last season on loan at Bayern Munich, has long been of interest to Villa.
It is set to be a busy end to the transfer window for Al Hilal, who are also pushing to sign Blues defender Mamadou Sarr.
Ollie Watkins
Ollie Watkins is keen on leaving Aston Villa for Al Hilal (Photo: Getty)
According to Foot Mercato, the Saudi club have already approached the player and presented their project to him, with Simone Inzaghi looking topartner the centre-back with his Senegal teammate and former Chelsea star Kalidou Koulibaly.
They will face competition for his signature however, with Real Sociedad also very interested in bringing in Sarr on loan.
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Sarr only signed for Chelsea last summer from Strasbourg, initially moving back to the fellow BlueCo-owned club on loan before he was recalled to Stamford Bridge in January.
Mamadou Sarr
Mamadou Sarr is likely to leave Chelsea before deadline day (Photo: Getty)
The 20-year-old would only make six appearances across all competitions for the Premier League side however, and it seems his short-term future is not in west London.
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Xabi Alonso has plenty of centre-backs at his disposal, namely new signing Maxence Lacroix, Levi Colwill, Wesley Fofana, Josh Acheampong and Jorrel Hato.
Chelsea are also looking to sell Tosin Adarabioyo and Axel Disasi, while Benoit Badiashile is close to joining Napoli.
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