Aston Villa's £50m Watkins Sale and Transfer Updates

The transfer window is open, the clock is ticking, and the money is moving. Hard.

Aston Villa brace for £50m Watkins sale as Al Hilal circle

Aston Villa are standing firm on their £50million valuation of Ollie Watkins – and they now believe Al Hilal will pay it.

The Saudi Pro League club have already seen four bids rejected but remain locked on the England striker, who is keen on the move and the significantly higher salary on offer. Villa have not blinked. The price is set. The expectation inside the club is that Al Hilal will eventually cave and meet it.

Behind that stance lies a clear plan. Villa are pushing ahead with a £65m move for Chelsea forward Nicolas Jackson, who would effectively come in as Watkins’ replacement. If the Saudis pay up, Villa are ready to move.

Monaco join race for Pape Matar Sarr

In France, Monaco have stepped into the queue for Tottenham midfielder Pape Matar Sarr.

The Ligue 1 side are assessing midfield options in case they lose Lamine Camara, who has attracted offers from Crystal Palace and interest from Chelsea. Sarr, highly rated at Spurs, is now firmly on their radar as they prepare for possible upheaval in the centre of the pitch.

Grealish future wide open as City hold their nerve

At Manchester City, Jack Grealish sits at the heart of one of the window’s most intriguing subplots.

City are keeping every door open for the 30-year-old as the deadline approaches. A permanent sale is on the table. Another loan is possible. Staying put is not ruled out either – though that path likely comes with restricted game time.

Grealish has already rejoined the first-team picture, coming off the bench in City’s first two league games after last season’s loan at Everton. Leeds chief executive Angus Kinnear has confirmed they have kept in touch, underlining the level of interest in the playmaker’s next step.

Enzo Maresca is coaching Grealish as normal but made it clear the situation is fluid after Sunday’s win over Bournemouth, stressing there is still a week for decisions to be made on him and others in the squad.

Around him, City’s own business is moving quickly. Omar Marmoush is due for a medical at Tottenham today as he edges towards a move. Nico Gonzalez is putting the final touches on his switch to Newcastle. City are also signing Palmeiras winger Allan Elias, and a formal bid is expected to go in for Chelsea midfielder Enzo Fernandez as they look to reinforce again in the middle of the park.

Liverpool balk at £80m Minteh price

Liverpool have stepped back from Yankuba Minteh – for now.

Brighton’s valuation of the 22-year-old winger, currently sidelined until October, has been deemed too steep. The Seagulls are looking for a figure closer to £80m, while Liverpool had hoped to structure a deal around £50m. That gap has forced the Anfield hierarchy to explore alternative wide options.

One of their own could yet be on the move. Celta Vigo are understood to be interested in midfielder Stefan Bajcetic, who began his career at the Spanish club. Liverpool, though, have not received a formal approach and the situation remains at the level of admiration rather than negotiation.

Forest open talks with Celta for Rueda

Nottingham Forest are busy on multiple fronts.

Talks have opened with Celta Vigo over right-back Javi Rueda, with Forest discussing an £8m deal for the 25-year-old, who only joined Celta from Real Madrid in 2024.

Tottenham have asked the question about Forest full-back Neco Williams, but the expectation is that he will stay at the City Ground.

Forest’s midfield rebuild is also in motion. They remain in discussions over a £13.6m move, including add-ons, for Corinthians midfielder Andre. The 20-year-old only made his league debut a year ago, and Corinthians are holding out for a higher fee as his reputation grows.

Palacios to headline Ipswich’s ambitious push

Ipswich are closing in on one of the most eye-catching deals of their recent history.

The club are finalising a £23.5m move for Bayer Leverkusen midfielder Exequiel Palacios. The 27-year-old has agreed a four-year contract, a statement signing for a side intent on establishing themselves at the top level rather than just surviving it.

At the same time, Ipswich are prepared to cash in on Anis Mehmeti. They want £9m for the midfielder, who has concrete offers from Wrexham, Birmingham and Derby. One in, one out – but with a clear upgrade in pedigree.

Osmajic exits Preston for Genoa

In the Championship, Preston have lost Milutin Osmajic, who has completed a move to Genoa.

Manager Paul Heckingbottom had already signposted the departure at the weekend and admitted the squad now needs further surgery. He praised the business done so far to replace outgoing players but underlined the scale of the task, with Osmajic the latest gap to fill.

And the window keeps spinning.

Nottingham Forest are closing on a £45m move for Liam Delap. Aston Villa remain in contact with AC Milan over Rafael Leao. With the deadline set for September 1, the biggest questions of this summer – from Watkins’ next chapter to Grealish’s future – are still waiting for their final twist.