Aston Villa rejected a formal offer of €45 million presented by Saudi club Al-Hilal for striker Ollie Watkins, according to sources familiar with the negotiations. The English club has publicly maintained its position to retain the 30-year-old player, a cornerstone of the team under manager Unai Emery.
Al-Hilal's interest in Watkins dates back several months. With the arrival of new English executives at the Saudi club, including Simon Francis, former sporting director of Bournemouth, detailed knowledge has been maintained about the player's representatives. Multiple contact attempts preceded the formal offer submitted. According to the sources consulted, Al-Hilal believes it has received encouraging signals from the player, although Watkins continued training after the rejection of the proposal and the Saudi club continues in its efforts to sign him.
Watkins entered the current summer with an open mind about his future, according to sources close to the player. The striker went to the World Cup aware of occupying the second position in England's attacking hierarchy behind Harry Kane, participating only seven minutes in the tournament. Although he has previously rejected contract extension offers, Aston Villa presented him with a new proposal in hopes of advancing negotiations.
Watkins is considered one of Aston Villa's most outstanding players in the Premier League era. He scored his 100th goal in the club's shirt in April, joining the list of the team's legends and achieving a milestone not reached since Peter McParland in the early 1960s. Sources consulted indicated that the player is part of the leadership group responsible for maintaining discipline in the dressing room and is considered one of the most professional in the squad alongside Tyrone Mings, Ezri Konsa and other key players.
While the prevailing sentiment points to his staying, some analysts warn that every player has a price. Aston Villa sources repeatedly confirmed that the club depends completely on Watkins in the current season. A transfer would deal a significant blow to the team's attack: Watkins and Morgan Rogers jointly generated 46 per cent of Aston Villa's league goals last season, according to the sources consulted.
