Ollie Watkins - Soccer News, Rumors, & Updates

Al-Hilal's 47-game unbeaten run in Saudi league shattered in home loss

Al-Hilal’s 47-game unbeaten run in the Saudi Pro League has ended after a 2-0 home loss to Neom

SEPTEMBER 7 • Associated Press

Al-Hilal hires Richard Hughes as sporting director after his Liverpool exit

Richard Hughes has become the new sporting director of Saudi Arabian club Al-Hilal just days after stepping down from the same post with Liverpool in the English Premier League

SEPTEMBER 7 • Associated Press

Haaland scores again as Man City maintains perfect start to the Premier League season

Norway striker Erling Haaland scores his third goal of the season as Manchester City beats Coventry 1-0 to stay top of the Premier League

SEPTEMBER 5 • Associated Press

"The level I saw here today was of Premier League quality" - Ollie Watkins makes emphatic claim after Al-Hilal debut England international Ollie Watkins has emphatically stated the quality of the Saudi Pro League is on par with the Premier League after his debut for Al-Hilal.

SEPTEMBER 3 • SPORTSKEEDA.COM

English clubs spend a staggering $4.7B in transfer window as Fernandez signing caps $600M City spree

A record-breaking spending spree by English soccer clubs has reached its climax with Manchester City signing midfielder Enzo Fernandez from Chelsea for 125 million pounds ($169 mil...

SEPTEMBER 1 • Associated Press

Watkins swaps Aston Villa for Al-Hilal in £50m deal Ollie Watkins has finally sealed his move from Aston Villa to Al-Hilal, who are reportedly set to lose Karim Benzema.

AUGUST 30 • BEINSPORTS.COM

Emery bids emotional farewell to departing striker Watkins Ollie Watkins is leaving Aston Villa for Al-Hilal, with Nicolas Jackson all set to complete his move to Villa Park from Chelsea.

AUGUST 28 • BEINSPORTS.COM

Set to leave Aston Villa Watkins is set to leave Aston Villa for Al-Hilal after pushing for a move away from the club, according to coach Unai Emery, per Birmingham Live. "He told us after the match that h...

Impact Watkins' departure from Villa is now effectively confirmed after Emery publicly said goodbye to the forward. The striker had asked not to feature in the season opener against Brighton as he pursued the move, a decision he subsequently apologized for and admitted was a mistake. Nicolas Jackson has been brought in as his replacement and is expected to take over as Villa's primary center-forward moving forward.

AUGUST 28 • ROTOWIRE

Aston Villa is in turmoil after big-name departures. Next up is Arsenal in the Premier League

A few weeks into the season and Aston Villa is already in turmoil

AUGUST 27 • Associated Press

Exit growing closer Watkins (not injury related) exit from Aston Villa appears to be close to sealed, according to Matt Maher of Express and Star.

Impact Watkins was reported to be back in training Tuesday, but it still appears the forward is set for a departure from Villa, with Saudi League side Al-Hilal appearing to have agreed to terms with the club and player. This will force Villa to get active in the market and find another forward, closely linked with a few moves in the past couple of days. Emiliano Buendia started at forward in the season opener, although Tammy Abraham (undisclosed) is another option once recovered.

AUGUST 26 • ROTOWIRE

Returns to training Watkins returned to Aston Villa's training Monday and apologized to teammates after missing Sunday's 4-0 defeat at Brighton, according to The Athletic.

Impact Watkins rejoined the squad Monday after being left out of the season opener amid uncertainty surrounding his future and his desire to leave the club. His return to training is an encouraging sign regarding his potential availability for the next match, though his situation remains unsettled after Villa rejected four offers from Al Hilal. The club have offered Watkins a new contract through 2030 but are also considering alternatives should he depart before the transfer window closes. If he remains at Villa, the striker should continue to compete for a prominent role at the point of the attack.

AUGUST 25 • ROTOWIRE

Emery on Watkins' absence: Call his agent! Ollie Watkins was a notable absentee as Aston Villa were hammered 4-0 by Brighton in their opening Premier League fixture of 2026-27.

AUGUST 23 • BEINSPORTS.COM

Out for opener Watkins is ruled out for Sunday's match against Brighton.

Impact Watkins has been left out of the squad for the Premier League opener as the uncertainty surrounding his future continues to dominate the narrative heading into the new season. The coaching staff have already seen four bids from the Saudi side rejected this summer, but the matter remains unresolved despite Villa offering the striker a new contract through 2030. His absence is further compounded by Tammy Abraham also being unavailable. Emiliano Buendia is set to start at the point of the attack in his place, with the situation surrounding Watkins expected to reach some form of resolution before the transfer window closes.

AUGUST 23 • ROTOWIRE

Future remains up in the air amid interest Watkins's status heading into the season opener against Brighton is unclear, with coach Unai Emery acknowledging Al-Hilal's continued interest even as he prefers to keep the strike...

Impact Watkins has already seen four bids from Al-Hilal rejected by Villa this summer, and while the club has offered him a new contract through 2030, he's thought to be drawn to the wages on offer in Saudi Arabia. Manager Unai Emery declined to say directly whether Watkins had requested to leave or whether he'll feature against Brighton, leaving the matter unresolved with roughly 10 days still left in the transfer window. Tammy Abraham is expected to lead the line up front if Watkins is unavailable.

AUGUST 21 • ROTOWIRE

Won't play in UEFA SuperCup Watkins won't play in the 2026 UEFA Super Cup against PSG on Wednesday, according to manager Unai Emery.

Impact Watkins is one of three regulars who won't be playing Wednesday for the Midlands club, as Ezri Konsa and Emiliano Martinez will also miss the match due to "completely necessary rest." Watkins represented England at the 2026 FIFA World Cup and has had only a few weeks to rest before the season starts. It seems the coaching staff wants to give the striker enough time to be healthy for the Premier League opener against Brighton on Sunday, Aug. 23.

AUGUST 11 • ROTOWIRE

Manchester United and Arsenal keeping tabs on experienced PL star who's attracting interest from Turkey: Reports Premier League giants Manchester United and Arsenal are reportedly monitoring Aston Villa striker Ollie Watkins, who has attracted interest from Turkey and other European clubs.

JULY 25 • SPORTSKEEDA.COM

Ollie Watkins with the header 😮‍💨

JUNE 10 • FOX SPORTS

England's Ollie Watkins scores header, extending lead over Costa Rica

JUNE 10 • FOX SPORTS

Backup striker for England Watkins has been named in England's World Cup squad after one of his most productive Premier League seasons, arriving as one of the most reliable goal-scorers in the squad with 21...

Impact Watkins ended the campaign with 16 Premier League goals and three assists across 37 appearances, finishing as Villa's top scorer and playing a pivotal role in their Europa League title triumph as the most clinical finisher in their squad with 21 goals in all competitions. The Englishman brings intelligent movement, physical presence and a deadly finishing instinct from both feet that makes him one of the most dangerous strikers available to manager Thomas Tuchel, and his ability to hold the ball up and bring teammates into play gives England a different attacking profile to the more direct Harry Kane who is set to lead the line as the captain of the Three Lions. Watkins heads into the World Cup off the back of the best individual campaign of his career and desperate to make his mark on the global stage this summer.

JUNE 4 • ROTOWIRE

England's World Cup squad numbers revealed as Marcus Rashford claims No.11 shirt in possible starting XI hint

England's squad numbers appear to offer an early indication of Thomas Tuchel's thinking ahead of the World Cup. Marcus Rashford has been han...

JUNE 2 • goal

England's World Cup squad numbers revealed as Marcus Rashford claims No.11 shirt in possible starting XI hint

No Europa Cup hangover Watkins scored two goals to go with four shots (two on goal) in Sunday's 2-1 win against Manchester City.

Impact Watkins was great on Sunday despite recent days of partying after the Europa Cup championship, with the forward single-handedly taking out City. He would score first in the 47th minute before adding another in the 61st minute, earning a brace to end the season. The forward would catch fire to end the season, with six goals in his past five outings, recording 16 goals and three assists in 37 appearances (33 starts) this campaign.

MAY 25 • ROTOWIRE

Watkins elated after 'indescribable week' as Aston Villa end season in style Ollie Watkins scored twice to help Aston Villa secure a fourth-place Premier League finish with a 2-1 comeback win over Manchester City.

MAY 24 • BEINSPORTS.COM

England 2026 World Cup squad: Jude Bellingham & Noni Madueke in as Phil Foden & Cole Palmer miss out on places in Thomas Tuchel's 26-man party

England manager Thomas Tuchel has named his 26-man squad for the 2026 World Cup, with Jude Bellingham and Noni Madueke among those to get th...

MAY 22 • goal

England 2026 World Cup squad: Jude Bellingham & Noni Madueke in as Phil Foden & Cole Palmer miss out on places in Thomas Tuchel's 26-man party

Incredible for win Watkins scored two goals and assisted once from six shots and one chance created in Friday's 4-2 victory against Liverpool. In addition, he was given a yellow card in the 48th minu...

Impact Watkins scored twice and added an assist during Friday's win, a brilliant showing during the total rout of Liverpool. The striker was deadly every time he got on the ball and caused issues for the Liverpool backline throughout. It was a top performance and probably Watkins' best of the season.

MAY 17 • ROTOWIRE

Arne Slot tells Liverpool fans they're 'underestimating' what he can do in transfer window as he vows to repair Reds

Arne Slot has issued a defiant message to Liverpool supporters, insisting they are underestimating the transformative impact of the upcoming...

MAY 16 • goal

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