Aston Villa are bracing for a fresh bid from Saudi club Al Hilal for striker Ollie Watkins after already turning down an offer worth close to £40m. Watkins, the club's all-time leading Premier League goalscorer, has become a transfer target as Al Hilal push to land the England forward, though Villa are under no immediate pressure to sell given he still has two years remaining on his contract.

Should Watkins depart, manager Unai Emery would look to Chelsea's Nicolas Jackson as a replacement, but the Blues' £65m valuation is seen as a significant obstacle, and any major signing before the window closes would likely depend on another big sale due to Premier League financial rules. Villa have already undergone substantial squad turnover this summer, losing Morgan Rogers (£117m to Chelsea), Youri Tielemans (Manchester United) and Lucas Digne (PSG), while bringing in Zion Suzuki (£30m), Matteo Ruggeri (£17m), Johan Manzambi (a club-record £52m) and Joao Gomes (£38m). Further sales could follow, with Emiliano Martínez's future uncertain and Arsenal circling defender Ezri Konsa.