Al-Hilal's Plans After Benzema: Ollie Watkins as Key Target
Al-Hilal are already sketching out life after Karim Benzema. The plan has a clear focal point: Ollie Watkins.
Simone Inzaghi has placed the Aston Villa striker at the top of his summer wish list, seeing the England international as the man to lead Al-Hilal’s attack next season. According to MaxiFoot, the Saudi club are seriously weighing up cutting ties with their 38-year-old French star as they look to refresh and re-energise the squad.
There is one major obstacle. Money.
Benzema stand-off stalls Watkins move
Any approach for Watkins is frozen until Benzema’s contractual saga is resolved. The 2022 Ballon d'Or winner is insisting on full payment of the final year of his deal before he will agree to a mutual termination. That demand has brought negotiations between the player and Al-Hilal to a halt.
The tension spilled into public view during Al-Hilal’s 4-2 win over Al Faisaly on Friday night. Benzema scored, but the story came 20 minutes from time, when Inzaghi replaced him with youngster Kader Meite. The veteran did not mask his anger as he left the pitch.
Inzaghi tried to cool the situation when he faced the media.
"We talked about that after the match," he said. "It's normal that he wants to play every match, and I understand him because I was a striker too. At that moment, we had another young player available, Kader Meite, who represents the future of the club. I was joking with Karim after the match, and I have a respectful relationship with him. He is not only a great champion, but also a very great professional."
The words were calm. The reality behind the scenes is anything but.
Age, quotas and a new focal point
Despite Inzaghi’s diplomacy, the same report states that Al-Hilal’s hierarchy remain intent on ending Benzema’s contract. The push is not purely sporting; it is structural. Saudi Pro League rules on foreign player quotas are strict, and every slot is precious.
Club leaders want to bring down the average age of the squad before next season. Per AS, Inzaghi sees 30-year-old Watkins as the perfect blend of experience and athletic prime, especially after the forward hit 21 goals in 55 appearances for Aston Villa in the 2025-26 campaign.
The logic is clear. To bring Watkins in, someone big has to go out. And that someone is Benzema.
For now, everything rests on the financial negotiations between the Frenchman and club officials. Until an agreement is signed and Benzema’s foreign player slot is freed, Al-Hilal cannot formally move for Watkins.
If Benzema accepts a termination package, Al-Hilal are ready to press the accelerator on their pursuit of the Villa striker. Until then, the former Real Madrid captain remains an Al-Hilal player, standing at the centre of a standoff that will shape the club’s next era.
