Aston Villa transfer news: Ollie Watkins joins Al Hilal as deal agreed for Taylor Harwood-Bellis

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.

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.

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.