Reporting note: this article draws on Sky Sports; LodiScore provides the summary and editorial framing.
Watkins Finalizes Move to Saudi Pro League
Aston Villa striker Ollie Watkins has completed a £50m permanent transfer to Saudi Arabian side Al Hilal. The transaction concludes a six-year tenure at Villa Park for the England international, who finished his spell with 108 goals in 278 appearances across all competitions.
Watkins made his final appearance for the club in May, featuring in Villa's 3-0 victory over Freiburg in the Europa League final to secure their first European trophy in 44 years. Watkins did not feature in Villa's 4-0 opening-weekend Premier League defeat at Brighton, an absence for which manager Unai Emery confirmed the forward later apologized to the squad.
Tactical Replacement: Nicolas Jackson Arrives
Villa moved quickly to address the central attacking vacancy, completing the signing of former Chelsea forward Nicolas Jackson earlier in the week for a club-record fee that could rise to £65m. Jackson directly assumes the primary central forward role in Emery's forward line.
Defensive Reinforcements: Harwood-Bellis Deal Agreed
Concurrently, Aston Villa have reached an agreement in principle with Southampton for central defender Taylor Harwood-Bellis in a £30m transfer package. The deal structure comprises:
- Guaranteed Base Fee: £25m
- Performance Add-ons: £5m
- Player Profile: 24 years old, 134 appearances for Southampton since arriving from Manchester City, 1 senior England cap (2024)
Harwood-Bellis has been secured to replace central defender Ezri Konsa, who departed Villa Park earlier in the transfer window to join Arsenal.
Next Steps
Aston Villa and Southampton are finalizing paperwork to formalize the Harwood-Bellis registration ahead of upcoming Premier League fixtures.
