Ollie Watkins expected to arrive in Riyadh ahead of Al Hilal move

Ollie Watkins is anticipated to arrive in Riyadh on Friday night prior to signing with Al Hilal, according to recent reports. Several sources indicated on Thursday that the Saudi Pro League powerhouse had reached an agreement on a fee likely exceeding €60 million to secure the England forward. Al Hilal's pursuit of Watkins, 30, has escalated significantly over the past week as the transfer deadline of September 6 approaches.

It is anticipated that Watkins will undergo a medical procedure over the weekend and may be fit for the league encounter against Asian champions Al Ahli Saudi on Tuesday. Upon completion of the deal, Watkins will become the second notable England international in the Saudi Pro League, following his teammate Ivan Toney. This move enhances Al Hilal coach Simone Inzaghi's attacking prowess, as he already fields the likes of Karim Benzema, a former Ballon d'Or winner, and Crysencio Summerville, a summer signing from West Ham.

Inzaghi expressed his desire to enhance his team's roster following the departure of Darwin Nunez on loan to Diriyah and the termination of Brazilian winger Malcom's contract, who joined Al Jazira in the UAE Pro League. Al Hilal finished one point shy of the title last season, falling to Al Nassr, but they begin the new season with an impressive 3-0 record (two league wins, one King's Cup win).

Watkins leaves Villa as the club's leading Premier League scorer with 91 goals in the English top division and a total of 108 goals in 278 appearances for Villa. He contributed to the team's Europa League triumph last season. Aston Villa is in the process of finalizing a transfer for Chelsea striker Nicolas Jackson, who is open to the move and has agreed to terms worth nearly €76 million.

This transfer is more than double the €37 million paid by Chelsea for Jackson's predecessor, Villarreal's Nicolas, in 2023. Villa also signed Germany international Leon Goretzka on a free transfer from Bayern Munich on Thursday. Goretzka, 31, shared his excitement about joining Villa, stating, "I had a good feeling from the first conversation with the coach.

Aston Villa is a really big club. I want to help the team to achieve their goals and bring my experience from my career." Goretzka made 312 appearances for Bayern Munich, scoring 51 times, and won seven league titles and the UEFA Champions League in 2020. His recent moves to Villa Park include a summer departure of several key players, including Morgan Rogers, who joined Chelsea for £117 million, and Youri Tielemans, who moved to Manchester United for £35 million.

The club also lost defenders Ezri Konsa to Arsenal and Lucas Digne to Paris Saint-Germain. Villa began their new season with a 4-0 loss to Brighton & Hove Albion, and their upcoming matches include challenging games against PSG, Barcelona, Borussia Dortmund, and others in the UEFA Champions League group stage.