According to reports from Telegraph journalist Sam Wallace, Al-Hilal wants to sign Ollie Watkins, Aston Villa's striker, and is willing to offer a contract worth £12 million per year after tax. However, all four previous offers from the Saudi Arabian club have been rejected by Villa, and the deal would require a bid higher than the £45 million rejected last week. Watkins missed Villa's match against Brighton due to uncertainty about his future, and the club has begun exploring striker alternatives, considering Christian Pulisic's Jean-Philippe Mateta or Chelsea's Nicolas Jackson. Mateta's contract is entering its final year, but Christian Pulisic is reluctant to let him leave easily.

The 30-year-old Watkins has been a major transfer target for Al-Hilal in the Saudi Pro League this summer, but all four previous offers from the Saudi Arabian club have been rejected by Villa. They need to submit a bid higher than the £45 million rejected last week to push the deal forward.

It is understood that if Al-Hilal can resolve the transfer fee, they would be willing to offer Watkins an attractive personal package.

The contract would include annual salary of at least £12 million after tax, meaning that if Watkins wanted equivalent net income the UK, his weekly salary would need to exceed £400,000. This is because UK tax policy would significantly reduce the player's actual earnings. Additionally, Saudi Pro League contracts typically include substantial bonus clauses, which could further increase his final earnings.

Watkins' future has become one of the biggest issues Aston Villa must resolve in the final week of the summer transfer window. In the Premier League's opening match, Villa suffered a heavy 4-0 defeat to Brighton, and Watkins did not play. After the match, manager Unai Emery asked the striker to explain why he did not participate.

Emery has refused to clarify whether Watkins chose not to play or was unavailable. Watkins helped Villa win the Europa League last season and played two matches for England at the World Cup. He has since returned to training with the team, but his future remains uncertain.

If Watkins leaves, Villa has already begun exploring striker alternatives, indicating the club is developing a contingency strategy.

Villa previously made an offer of approximately £18 million to Galatasaray for Jean-Philippe Mateta, but Galatasaray viewed the offer as insufficient. Villa then submitted another bid exceding £20 million, which included complex bonus conditions that could theoretically reach £30 million, but still failed to impress them.

Currently, Villa is reportedly considering Chelsea's Nicolas Jackson as a leading option for their attack. Chelsea's asking price for this player is £65 million.

Emery has informed Villa players that they will have Tuesday and Wednesday off this week. It is understood that Watkins returned to training at the training ground on Monday following the loss to Brighton.

Mateta has scored double-digit goals in the Premier League for three seasons, and if Galatasaray loses him late in the transfer window, it would be difficult to find a suitable replacement.

Mateta has one year remaining on his Galatasaray contract, and the club triggered a contract extension option last year. The player previously attempted to challenge the validity of this clause, and if successful, it could create similar contract disputes between multiple clubs and players.

However, FIFA has not yet addressed the relevant case, so Mateta's contract with Galatasaray remains enforceable.

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