Aston Villa Eye Nicolas Jackson as Watkins Replacement

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

Chelsea value Jackson at around £65m and are insisting on a permanent sale after his loan spell at Bayern Munich last season. Villa’s interest is expected to turn serious if Al Hilal finally hit the number that forces their hand on Watkins.

Al Hilal turn the screw on Watkins

Al Hilal remain in talks for Watkins, who is understood to be keen on a move to Saudi Arabia. At least one bid has already been rejected, with their opening offer coming in at around £38.5m.

Villa do not want to sell. Watkins scored 16 Premier League goals last season, spearheaded their Europa League triumph and helped secure another year of Champions League football. He has become central to Unai Emery’s project and was rewarded with a place in England’s 2026 World Cup squad.

But Al Hilal are pushing hard. They see the 30-year-old as a potential replacement for Karim Benzema and are working on a solution that would allow the Frenchman to leave. If that happens, the pressure on Villa to make a decision on Watkins will only grow.

Emery did not hide the tension around the situation when he faced the media ahead of Sunday’s trip to Brighton.

“We have an issue with him, it is clear,” the Villa manager 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.”

Asked directly whether Watkins had asked to leave, 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.”

Jackson waiting in the wings

If Watkins does go, Villa are ready to move for Jackson. Chelsea’s stance is clear: permanent deal only. Atletico Madrid are also in the frame but would prefer a loan, something Chelsea are not entertaining.

Villa, by contrast, have several factors in their favour. Relations between the clubs are strong at boardroom level after a summer of significant business, including the record-breaking deal for Morgan Rogers and Alejandro Garnacho’s switch to claret and blue.

Jackson also knows Emery well. The pair worked together at Villarreal, where the forward’s pace and movement caught the eye before his switch to Chelsea. That existing relationship could prove decisive if Villa need to move quickly to fill the void left by Watkins.

Martinez pushes for “another challenge”

Watkins is not the only pillar of Emery’s side whose future is uncertain.

Emiliano Martinez has told the club he wants to leave and test himself elsewhere, with the manager confirming the Argentina goalkeeper has again raised the prospect of a move.

Villa signed Japan international Zion Suzuki from Parma this summer, and while a transfer to Juventus for Martinez collapsed, the 2022 World Cup winner remains open to a new chapter.

“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.”

Villa, then, stand on the edge of a pivotal 10 days: a star striker wanted in Saudi Arabia, his potential successor priced at £65m, and a World Cup-winning goalkeeper eyeing the exit. Emery has his squad competing at the top table of European football — the question now is how many of his key figures will still be with him when the window slams shut.