Ollie Watkins Completes £51m Al-Hilal Move After Six Years at Aston Villa

Ollie Watkins has completed a £51m transfer from Aston Villa to Saudi Pro League club Al-Hilal, ending a six-year spell in Birmingham. BBC Sport reports that the 30-year-old England striker has signed a three-year contract with his new club.

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The departure followed a difficult final week at Villa. Watkins made himself unavailable for the club's Premier League opener against Brighton, and manager Unai Emery said the forward later apologised. In a farewell message published on social media, Watkins said he had neither intended nor imagined that his Villa career would finish in those circumstances, while expressing gratitude for his time at the club.

Watkins leaves Villa as their record Premier League scorer, having registered 91 goals in the competition. He recalled landmarks including his first Villa goals in the 7-2 victory over Liverpool, the club's return to European competition, Champions League nights at Villa Park and the achievement of setting the club's Premier League scoring record.

His spell also coincided with Villa's rise under Emery. Watkins played an important part as the club became a regular challenger for a top-six place and won the Europa League, securing Villa's first European trophy in 44 years. Emery described Watkins as a fantastic player and said he had small tears while saying goodbye.

At Al-Hilal, Watkins will join Dutch winger Crysencio Summerville, who moved to the Saudi club after West Ham's relegation from the Premier League. BBC Sport also reports that Arsenal winger Gabriel Martinelli is expected to travel to Saudi Arabia on Tuesday for a medical with Al-Hilal.

Villa have already invested heavily in reshaping their squad. The club signed Bayern Munich striker Nicolas Jackson for £65m as Watkins' replacement after previously breaking their transfer record for Swiss midfielder Johan Manzambi. Former Wolves midfielder Joao Gomes, Japan goalkeeper Zion Suzuki and Italy left-back Matteo Ruggeri have also arrived as Villa make wider changes connected to UEFA's squad cost-ratio rules.