Aston Villa striker Ollie Watkins has agreed personal terms with Saudi Pro League side Al Hilal, according to a report from Sachi Tavolieri of Sky Sports — raising the prospect of Emery's most important forward departing before the new Premier League season gets underway.

The development follows an earlier report from Italian journalist Gianluigi Longari, who revealed on X that Al Hilal had identified Watkins as a potential alternative to Victor Osimhen. The Saudi club are understood to regard Osimhen as their primary target, but complications surrounding a move for the Nigerian — who is currently linked with Arsenal — have pushed them toward the Aston Villa man.

Benzema factor complicates the deal

A transfer is not straightforward. Al Hilal manager Simone Inzaghi is keen to move Karim Benzema on this month, and Tavolieri reports that the club's management wants to resolve Benzema's contract situation before formally pursuing their next centre-forward. Benzema is said to be holding out for wages covering the coming year, which adds an additional layer of complexity to the timeline.

Should Watkins complete the move, he would join fellow England international Ivan Toney in the Gulf, with Toney having made the same journey to Al-Ahli.

Villa bracing for a summer of exits

This transfer window has already proved turbulent for Aston Villa. Morgan Rogers departed as the club's record sale, and goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez is reported to be closing in on an exit of his own. Losing Watkins — their top scorer in each of the last six seasons — would represent the most significant departure of the summer.

Watkins, 30, arrived at Villa Park in 2020 from Brentford following their Championship play-off final defeat and has consistently delivered double-figure league goal tallies ever since. Transfermarkt values him at €60 million, and Villa are not expected to accept anything less than a strong offer — a stance consistent with how they handled lowball bids for Martinez.

FourFourTwo reports that Aston Villa fended off interest in Watkins from several clubs in recent seasons, including Arsenal — the club Watkins himself supports — and considered selling him last summer before ultimately retaining him. Emery's side open their Premier League campaign away at Brighton & Hove Albion this weekend.