Breaking news 🚨: Fabrizio Romano has just named the player Aston Villa want to replace Ollie Watkins with, as the player is keen to join the club. This is the player he revealed.

Al-Hilal are increasingly confident of reaching an agreement for Aston Villa striker Ollie Watkins, with Fabrizio Romano revealing the England international is open to a move to Saudi Arabia.

The Saudi Pro League giants have already submitted a €45m package for Watkins, but Villa are expected to reject the opening proposal as Unai Emery’s side want a higher fee before considering his departure.

Watkins joined Villa from Brentford for £28m in 2020 and has since established himself as one of the club’s most important players, scoring 108 goals in 278 appearances.

He enjoyed another productive campaign last season, scoring 21 goals in 55 games as Villa lifted the Europa League.

Romano confirmed Al-Hilal are pushing strongly to sign the 30-year-old.

“Al-Hilal from Saudi Arabia have sent an official bid to Aston Villa worth, according to my information, a €45m package for Ollie Watkins.

That’s a very interesting story because now Al-Hilal are going very strong for Ollie Watkins,” he said.

He added: “My understanding is that the player wants the move. Ollie Watkins is open to going to Saudi Arabia. He believes that this could be an opportunity financially.”

Should Watkins leave, Romano says Nicolas Jackson is among Villa’s preferred replacements.

“If Ollie Watkins goes to Al-Hilal, one of the names under consideration, not the only one, is Nicolas Jackson,” Romano added.

Jackson previously worked with Emery at Villarreal, while Chelsea are reportedly willing to sell him for around £65m.