Ollie Watkins agrees personal terms with Al-Hilal to replace Karim Benzema
Ciaran McCarthy
Ollie Watkins has agreed personal terms with Al-Hilal in order to become the striker to replace Karim Benzema, reports insider Sacha Tavolieri.
There's been speculation over Watkins' exit throughout the summer, with Turkish and Saudi sides said to be interested. But links died down in recent weeks.
While Watkins was one of a few important Villa players who missed the UEFA Super Cup, Unai Emery said that was to rest them after long World Cup campaigns.
Now, there's not only speculation over his exit, but a suggestion he's ready for it.
Tavolieri reports for Sky Sport Switzerland that Watkins is one of the options being targeted by Al-Hilal to replace Benzema, who will be departing this summer.
The Saudi side are said to have reached an agreement with Watkins over the personal terms of that move.
No concrete offer has been made to Villa yet, though, with the report stating Al-Hilal must first resolve the Benzema situation.
At Villa, the exit of Watkins would have looked catastrophic in recent seasons, and after 21 goals last season, it still wouldn't be ideal, but with 17-year-old Brian Madjo on the scene and looking ready to start in the first team, it won't be as harsh a loss, should it happen.
Benzema situation explained
As one of the top names in Saudi football, Benzema is not only paid by his club, but also partly by the country's governing bodies.
The structure of his contract means that should Al-Hilal want that contract to end, they'd have to reach an agreement with the Saudi Pro League and the relevant authorities.
It means the matter is a difficult one to resolve, but it's one the club want to do soon.
They're said to see Benzema's exit as their absolute priority this transfer window so that they can move forward with recruitment of a new striker.
The Frenchman will make his departure harder by demanding he is paid the rest of his contract in full before he'll look to find another side.
That is not a demand that the club on authorities see as ideal. Al-Hilal won't be able to accelerate pursuits of Watkins or any other strikers before the Benzema situation is wrapped up, and it looks like it could take some time to resolve.
