Al Hilal’s double-raid target
Saudi Arabian club Al Hilal is reportedly working on a double transfer from the Premier League, with both Arsenal’s Gabriel Martinelli and Aston Villa’s Ollie Watkins on the radar. The club is said to be offering a substantial contract to Martinelli, with a fee that comes close to Arsenal’s valuation of £60 million. Martinelli, a Brazilian forward, has been reluctant to leave Arsenal for anything other than a top competitive league, and he previously turned down a £38 million bid from Galatasaray.
Watkins left out of Villa’s squad
Ollie Watkins has been omitted from Villa’s lineup for the Brighton match as talks with Al Hilal continue. The Saudi side had a £45 million offer for Watkins, which was rejected on Friday. This represents the fourth offer the club has made for Watkins this summer, indicating a persistent interest in securing the Villa striker.
Other Premier League options on the table
Al Hilal is also eyeing other Premier League talents. Chelsea’s Pedro Neto is reportedly being sought, with the English club demanding a £100 million fee. Everton’s Iliman Ndiaye is open to leaving the club, but only for another Premier League side that competes in the Champions League. These moves would further strengthen Al Hilal’s attacking options ahead of the Saudi Pro League season.
Potential impact
If Al Hilal succeeds in signing either Martinelli or Watkins, it would mark a significant shift in the transfer market, bringing Premier League talent to the Saudi Pro League. The club’s willingness to match or exceed the valuations of top English clubs underscores its ambition to compete on a global stage.
Current status
As of now, negotiations are ongoing for both players. Martinelli’s reluctance to move to a non-top league and Watkins’ recent exclusion from Villa’s squad suggest that Al Hilal’s offers must be highly competitive. The club’s pursuit of multiple Premier League players highlights its strategy to build a squad capable of challenging for domestic and continental honors.
Conclusion
Al Hilal’s pursuit of Martinelli and Watkins, coupled with interest in Neto and Ndiaye, signals a bold move to attract Premier League talent. The outcomes of these negotiations will be closely watched by clubs and fans alike.
