Aston Villa have rejected a fresh bid from Al Hilal for Ollie Watkins, who is pushing for a move to the Saudi Pro League club.Al Hilal’s fourth and most recent offer for the striker was worth around £45million ($61.4m).Watkins, 30, has made it clear to Villa that he wants to make the move, and manager Unai Emery admitted on Friday that the club has “an issue” with the England international.“We have offers for him,” Emery told a press conference. “He’s our player, I dont want to sell him, but that can change because if it’s a good option for him, good option for the club and I can replace him, this is the routine we have.”Emery added that he does not know if Watkins will feature in Villa’s new-season opener against Brighton & Hove Albion on Sunday afternoon.Tammy Abraham, who deputised for Watkins up front in the second half of last season, is a doubt for the game with a groin injury, leaving Emery with a potential selection headache.Watkins has rejected previous informal contract offers, but Villa have made a new one, a proposed extension of two years on his current deal that runs until 2028 and have hoped the latest offer progresses.Manchester United explored a move for Watkins last summer before they eventually signed Benjamin Sesko, while Arsenal held discussions over a possible deal in January 2025.Ahead of a Champions League campaign this coming season Villa have signed attacking midfielder Johan Manzambi from Freiburg, midfielder Joao Gomes from Wolverhampton Wanderers, winger Alejandro Garnacho from Chelsea, goalkeeper Zion Suzuki from Parma and full-back Aaron Wan-Bissaka from West Ham United this summer.Should Watkins’ departure go through, it would see the England international join a list of important first-team players to depart Villa Park. Morgan Rogers has signed for Chelsea, Lucas Digne rejoined Paris Saint-Germain, Youri Tielemans left for Manchester United, while Ezri Konsa is on the verge of joining Arsenal.Watkins joined Villa in 2020 from Brentford and has made 278 appearances, scoring 108 goals. He was selected by Thomas Tuchel for England’s World Cup squad this summer but only featured twice from the bench during the tournament.‘Every player has a price’Analysis by Aston Villa correspondent Jacob TanswellThis is far from ideal for Emery. The Spaniard admitted there has been more change than expected this summer. While he was full of praise for others who have already left, Emery has been intent on keeping Watkins this summer, reflected in Villa offering the striker a number of new contracts.However, Al Hilal continue to pursue him and every player has a price. Unai Emery has long admired Chelsea’s Nicolas Jackson, who could be a candidate to replace Watkins in the event that he gets his wish to move to Saudi.Emery says he does not know if Watkins will feature against Brighton & Hove Albion on Sunday, but it is difficult to envisage as it stands. In turn, it leaves Villa short of players, with Brian Madjo injured and Tammy Abraham a doubt to feature.Aug 21, 2026Connections: Sports EditionSpot the pattern. Connect the termsFind the hidden link between sports terms