Aston Villa Target Nicolas Jackson as Al Hilal Pursues Ollie Watkins

Aston Villa are lining up Nicolas Jackson as a potential replacement for Ollie Watkins, with Al Hilal refusing to back off in their pursuit of the England striker.

Chelsea value Jackson at around £65m and, with the club open to a permanent sale, Villa are expected to move if – and only if – Watkins is sold. Atletico Madrid are also in the frame for Jackson, but the Spanish side would rather structure a loan, something Chelsea are not entertaining after the forward’s season-long spell at Bayern Munich.

Al Hilal have already seen at least one bid rejected for Watkins, with their opening offer understood to be in the region of £38.5m. The Saudi Pro League club remain in talks and are pushing hard to land the 30-year-old, who is keen on the move.

Villa, though, do not want to lose their main man. Watkins hit 16 league goals last season, driving Unai Emery’s side to Europa League glory and another crack at the Champions League. He has since been named in England’s 2026 World Cup squad, underlining his status at the top level.

Emery: ‘We have an issue with him’

Emery did not hide the tension around Watkins’ future when he faced the media before Sunday’s trip to Brighton.

“We have an issue with him, it is clear,” he said. “We had offers for him but he is our player. I don't want to sell him but it can change if it is a good option for him, the club and I can replace him in the squad.

“He is here and is a fantastic striker. We have always believed and supported him, he did it.

“There is 10 days to finish the transfer window, we will see. He is our player and I am happy with him.”

Pressed on whether Watkins had formally asked to go, Emery replied: “I don't know, maybe you have more information than us! Football is changing.

The players are professional and Watkins is our player.”

Al Hilal see Watkins as a potential successor to Karim Benzema and are working on a way to resolve the Frenchman’s contract situation to allow him to leave. Their pursuit of Watkins comes off the back of his most complete campaign in a Villa shirt, one that delivered silverware in Europe and secured another season at the top table.

Jackson, meanwhile, is a familiar face to Emery. The forward played under the Spaniard at Villarreal, a link that adds intrigue to Villa’s interest. Relations between Villa and Chelsea are already strong at boardroom level after a busy summer that has seen the clubs complete high-profile deals, including the record-breaking transfer for Morgan Rogers and Alejandro Garnacho’s move to Villa Park.

Emiliano Martinez pushes for ‘another challenge’

The Watkins saga is not the only delicate situation on Emery’s desk. Emiliano Martinez has also told the club he wants to move on and seek “another challenge” in his career.

Villa acted early in the window by signing Japan international goalkeeper Zion Suzuki from Parma. A proposed transfer to Juventus for Martinez collapsed, leaving the World Cup winner still at the club as the season looms.

“We have two excellent keepers,” Emery said. “We have signed Suzuki not for the future, but for now. He has shown his capacity and that he can play at our level.

“Martinez transmitted to us the possibility to have another challenge in his career, not just now and even last year, and he was thinking in case he had a possibility to change his challenges, but he stayed and performed fantastic.

“This year, again, he transmitted to us for a new challenge, and we signed Suzuki to replace him. But the scenario we have is that we have two great goalkeepers. We will see what will happen.”

Ten days left. One star striker courted by Saudi money, one World Cup-winning goalkeeper eyeing the exit, and a £65m forward on the radar. Villa’s season has not even kicked off, but the shape of Emery’s squad could yet be ripped up and rewritten before the window slams shut.