Aston Villa transfer news: Ollie Watkins joins Al Hilal as deal agreed for Taylor Harwood-Bellis
Ollie Watkins leaves Aston Villa as the first player in the modern era to score over 100 goals for the club; Watkins has been replaced by former Chelsea striker Nicolas Jackson; Villa have agreed a deal to sign Southampton defender Taylor Harwood-Bellis
Sunday 30 August 2026 21:20, UK
Ollie Watkins has completed his £50m move from Aston Villa to Al Hilal.
The move to Saudi Arabia brings an end to his six-year stay at Villa Park. He scored 108 goals in 278 games for Villa across all competitions.
Watkins' final game for the club was May's 3-0 victory over Freiburg in the Europa League final, helping to end their 44-year wait for a European trophy.
The striker wrote on Instagram: "Six amazing years has come to an end. Thank you for the amazing memories and always supporting me through highs and lows.
"Saying goodbye is never easy to this club as it's been a massive part of my life on and off the pitch.
"Once a villain, always a villain."
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Earlier this week, Unai Emery revealed Watkins had apologised to his team-mates for not playing in their 4-0 defeat at Brighton on the opening weekend of the season.
Emery had responded to questions about Watkins' absence before that game by saying: "Ask him. I only can answer it by silence."
On Friday, he said: "Watkins said sorry after Brighton. He made a mistake. He always had good behaviour in the club and with me. He's a fantastic guy.
"I told him 'bye', with a huge hug and a small cry."
Villa have already replaced Watkins with Nicolas Jackson, who signed this week for a club-record fee that could rise to £65m.
Exeter City expect sell-on percentage from Watkins deal
Exeter City have released a statement saying that they expect to receive payment following Watkins' move to Al Hilal.
The England international came up through the ranks at the club, making 78 appearances before leaving to join Brentford in 2017. City are insisting that they are due a sell-on fee percentage as part of his subsequent moves.
"We can confirm we expect to receive a payment following the transfer of Ollie Watkins from Aston Villa to Saudi Arabian side Al Hilal," the statement read.
"This process involves a number of clubs - Exeter City, Brentford, to whom Exeter sold Ollie in 2017, Aston Villa and Al-Hilal - and is subject to confidentiality clauses which are beyond the control of Exeter City Football Club.
"Under FIFA's solidarity payment mechanism, a proportion of any transfer fee is distributed to clubs involved in training and developing a player between the ages of 12 and 23. Ollie was part of the Exeter City Academy from the age of 11 in 2007 and made his first team debut in 2014 after signing his first professional contract that season.
"We are awaiting further details regarding the payment. We do not know how long this process will take to conclude, but we do not anticipate receiving any sum before the end of the current transfer window. Subject to the terms agreed, it is also possible that payments will be in instalments over a number of years.
"To ensure full transparency, we will share further information with supporters when we are able to do so, however, this will be in line with the confidentiality agreements in place. We can assure supporters that any sum received will be used to protect and strengthen the long-term security of the Club.
"We wish Ollie well with this next chapter in his career. He is a fantastic footballer - a product of the Exeter City academy that the whole club is enormously proud of. As we do with all of our academy graduates, we will continue to follow his career with great interest and pride."
Villa agree Harwood-Bellis deal
Exclusive from Sky Sports News' Lyall Thomas:
Aston Villa have agreed in principle a £30m package with Southampton to sign centre-back Taylor Harwood-Bellis.
The deal is broken up into a £25m guaranteed fee plus £5m in add-ons and the final details are being sorted between the clubs.
The 24-year-old has made 134 appearances for Saints since joining from Manchester City, and has one goal in one appearance for England, receiving his only cap in 2024.
Harwood-Bellis will help to fill the hole left by Ezri Konsa, who moved to Arsenal earlier this summer.
