Unai Emery is left alone

Apuesta a este partido aquí

Premier League

1 X 2

Hull Aston Villa

05/09/26 18:30:00

4.00 3.70 1.83

 PUBLICIDAD

Cuotas validas al publicarse, sujetas a cambios. Regístrese en bet365, ingrese 5€ o más en su cuenta y conseguirá un 100% de su ingreso válido en créditos de apuesta (hasta 100€). Solo para clientes nuevos. Se aplican las condiciones. Las ganancias no incluyen el importe de los créditos de apuesta. Se aplican premios máximos, restricciones de juego, límites de tiempo y condiciones. Es necesario registrarse.

Ollie Watkins, a 30-year-old English forward, has traveled to Saudi Arabia with his agents to complete his transfer to Al-Hilal, after Aston Villa accepted a proposal of 58.4 million euros plus 2 million in variables. The operation is now in its final stages, just a few days before the transfer window closes. 

Ollie Watkins leaves Aston Villa for Al-Hilal

The agreement between Aston Villa and Al-Hilal was finalized on Wednesday after weeks of negotiations for Watkins' transfer. The Saudi club raised their offer to a fixed amount of 58.4 million euros, with an additional 2 million in add-ons.

Watkins had already expressed his willingness to leave English football to play in Saudi Arabia. Al-Hilal had previously submitted various offers, including one close to 45 million euros, which were rejected by the Birmingham club before reaching the final agreement. 

The forward did not play in Aston Villa's league opener, a 4-0 defeat against Brighton, amidst negotiations with the Saudi club. Watkins had scored 16 goals in the 2025/26 Premier League season, a tally that earned him a call-up to the England squad for the 2026 World Cup. 

His departure marks the end of a chapter that began in 2020 when Watkins joined Aston Villa from Brentford. In the Premier League, he scored 91 goals in 221 matches, according to data released following his departure.

Unai Emery loses Watkins and prepares for the replacement

Watkins' departure forces Aston Villa under Unai Emery to adjust their attack before the transfer window closes. The coach is already working with the club on signing Nicolas Jackson, a forward from Chelsea for whom there is an agreement for approximately 47.5 million pounds fixed and up to 65 million with variables. 

Emery had been cautious during the negotiations as Aston Villa needed to find a replacement before allowing Watkins to leave. This condition was almost resolved with the progress of the deal for Jackson, who is expected to fill the gap left by the English forward. 

The coach also confirmed Watkins' departure on Friday after four seasons under his guidance. The departure comes as Aston Villa continues to remodel their squad during this transfer window. 

Ollie Watkins' Next Step

Watkins is set to arrive in Riyadh this weekend and then undergo a medical examination before finalizing his move to Al-Hilal. The agreement has been approved by both Aston Villa and the player, leaving only the final procedures to complete the transfer.

With the trip to Saudi Arabia, Ollie Watkins is on the verge of officially becoming a new player for Al-Hilal. Aston Villa will receive 58.4 million euros as guaranteed income, with the potential to add another 2 million in variables, while Unai Emery prepares for his replacement's debut. 

This news is an automatic translation. You can read the original news, Unai Emery se queda solo