Saudi giants Al Hilal eye Premier League duo in £60m chase

Saudi club Al Hilal are reportedly mounting a double raid on the Premier League, targeting Arsenal forward Gabriel Martinelli and Aston Villa striker Ollie Watkins, with substantial contracts and fees on the table as of 23 August 2026 in a bid to strengthen their squad.

Martinelli and Watkins: Al Hilal's Premier League targets

Brazilian Martinelli has been reluctant to leave Arsenal for anything other than a top‑competitive league. Arsenal previously received a £38 million offer from Galatasaray, but the forward was not keen on moving to Turkey.

The Saudis are understood to be offering a substantial contract on top of a fee that approaches the Premier League champions’ valuation of £60 million.

Watkins has been left out of Villa's line‑up today as talks continue after Al Hilal’s £45 million offer was rejected on Friday. That proposal marked the fourth offer the Saudis have made for the striker this summer, and he was also omitted from Villa's squad to face Brighton on Sunday.

Broader Premier League interest

The Saudis have also been looking at a number of options from the Premier League, with Chelsea's Pedro Neto and Everton's Iliman Ndiaye discussed. Chelsea want £100 million for Neto.

Ndiaye is open to leaving Everton. He is looking for another Premier League club that is challenging in the Champions League.