Aston Villa have rejected a formal €45million ($52.5m; £38.5m) offer from Al Hilal for Ollie Watkins, but the Saudi Pro League club's pursuit remains ongoing as Villa navigate a summer of unprecedented transformation.

Aston Villa had been aware of Al Hilal's admiration for Watkins for some time. When reports in Saudi Arabia started to surface last week, it came as no surprise. The impression from multiple sources was that Villa's greatest Premier League goalscorer would stay, owing to a huge summer of change in which long-standing team-mates have already departed. The other unknown was whether any interested suitor would stump up enough money to convince Villa otherwise.

Led by the wishes of manager Unai Emery, who wants Watkins to stay, Villa are insistent they intend to keep the forward. Yet, even though the sense is he will remain, there is trepidation. In short, every player has a price. Villa sources have repeatedly asserted Watkins is being fully relied on this season.

The 30-year-old England international returned for pre-season last Sunday, with Emery granting those who lasted the full duration at the World Cup four weeks off, in the belief they would remain fresh and end the season in better stead.

Villa's Spine Being Dismantled

The broader context of Watkins' situation is a summer of sweeping change at Villa Park. Three players whose pre-season was shortened are deeply connected to the club's future direction. Emiliano Martinez's future is also uncertain, while Arsenal have agreed a deal to sign Ezri Konsa worth £51million ($69.4m) plus add-ons. Konsa is set to undergo a medical.

Martinez had long wanted to leave and Villa, over the weekend, decided they could do without the ongoing dramatics. They pushed ahead for a deal for Parma's Zion Suzuki, only for Martinez's move to Juventus to be kiboshed by the Serie A club. Martinez returned to Villa's Bodymoor Heath training ground on Tuesday, with the Premier League club now helping the 33-year-old goalkeeper find a new destination elsewhere.

The trio of Watkins, Martinez and Konsa represent the team's spine and solid foundations on which Emery's Villa have been built — all in central positions, all becoming seasoned internationals under Emery and now a symbol of Villa's summer of change. Morgan Rogers has already departed for Chelsea, further depleting the attacking core.

Emery's Transfer Plans Pivot

As is Emery's way, Villa had their list of target areas to address: both full-back positions and a winger. Best-laid plans often pivot depending on Emery's rationale and if players leave. Discreetly, Villa wished to bring in a centre-forward, provided they found a buyer for Tammy Abraham. Emery and Chelsea's Nicolas Jackson have remained in dialogue since their time together at Villarreal, and the feeling was Villa would push again for the 25-year-old.

Watkins' Standing at Villa

Watkins is among Villa's greatest Premier League players. His exit would carry a huge emotional pull, having been integral to the past three years of unparalleled success. Since 2022-23, he has never scored fewer than 15 goals in a top-flight season. Last term, despite a poor start, he ultimately stood up when it mattered.

Watkins became a Europa League champion as Villa beat Freiburg in the Istanbul final and wrote his name in club folklore. His professionalism, attitude and warmth are some of the reasons he has been hugely popular with supporters and Emery's Spanish contingent of staff. Whether it is through asking for additional one-on-one practice after training or how he handles himself generally, he was described to The Athletic last summer by a senior figure as an "English gentleman."

There have been other occasions where Watkins has carried injuries into games and played through the pain barrier. He does not do a lot outside the sport, not wanting to waste energy or time on too much else. His priority is being the best day-to-day version of himself as a footballer.

A History of Suitors

Watkins' future has regularly been unclear. Villa rejected a £40million offer from Arsenal, made in six instalments, in January 2024, before Manchester United showed interest six months later. United then decided to turn their attention to signing Benjamin Sesko instead.

Heading into this summer, Watkins was open-minded about his future, according to sources close to the player. He was going into the World Cup, where he would be firmly behind Harry Kane in the strikers' pecking order for England — Watkins played just seven minutes during the tournament — but was assessing his options in club football. There were few options better than Villa, especially with the sense he had missed the boat for a move elsewhere in the Premier League.

Yet, with the state of change at Villa and entering into the final two years of his contract — he signed fresh terms in October 2023 — Watkins wanted to be open to all possibilities. He has rejected previous contract offers, but Villa have made a new one and hope the latest offer progresses.

Fenerbahce and Al Hilal's Approaches

Fenerbahce were strong on pushing for Watkins earlier in the summer. According to a source close to the situation, Fenerbahce reached out to a third-party intermediary to see if Villa would be receptive.

Al Hilal's interest, though, was long-standing. As part of their new English contingent, which included former Bournemouth sporting director Simon Francis, they knew Watkins' camp well. Multiple approaches were made before Tuesday, when Al Hilal made the formal €45million offer. Villa rejected the bid, with Watkins continuing to train, yet the Saudi Pro League club's pursuit remains ongoing. They believe they have encouragement from the player's side. The move would be hugely lucrative for Watkins and, should Al Hilal increase their bid, it would give Villa a potential fee they would likely not receive elsewhere.

The Stakes of a Departure

Watkins scored his 100th Villa goal in April, crossing the Rubicon of Villa legends. That was a feat not seen since Peter McParland in the early 1960s. Take out Watkins and Morgan Rogers after his summer move to Chelsea, and 46 per cent of Villa's league goals last season would be removed. Villa's attacking system has been built around the duo.

According to multiple sources, Watkins has formed part of a leadership group that polices the dressing room. He has been considered among Villa's most professional players alongside a core of Tyrone Mings, Konsa, Matty Cash, Lucas Digne, John McGinn and Youri Tielemans. Two of them have now gone, with the futures of two more deeply uncertain.

Villa want Watkins to stay, but is the time right for the second Emery era to begin with a new figurehead leading the line? Did that night in Istanbul mark the end of the first iteration of Emery's Villa? Those at Villa know this summer has seen major change — perhaps more than first planned. Yet if Watkins were the next to leave, the sweeping transformation would feel very real.