Al-Hilal officially sign Watkins, Benzema exits in silence

In a move officially announced on X (Twitter), Al-Hilal have completed the signing of English striker Ollie Watkins from Aston Villa. The deal, finalized just days before the summer transfer window closes, all but confirms the departure of Karim Benzema. Reports indicate that Al-Hilal have reached a financial settlement to terminate the French striker's contract after a disappointing season. Al-Hilal are experiencing an ambitious transfer window. Before Watkins, the Riyadh-based club signed Crysencio Summerville from West Ham United. English media widely reported that Arsenal's Gabriel Martinelli has reached a personal agreement with the Saudi club, while the transfer fee is being negotiated. The arrival of three Premier League attacking players in a single window signals a tactical and personnel revolution at the Kingdom Arena. Tactically, the additions of Watkins, Summerville, and Martinelli (if confirmed) paint a clear picture: Al-Hilal are abandoning the slow, possession-based style built around Benzema in favor of a fast, direct counter-attacking model with intelligent runs and wing play. Watkins is a striker who thrives in open spaces, presses relentlessly, and makes constant off-ball movements. Summerville, with his technical dribbling, can operate on either flank, offering flexibility in 4-3-3 or 4-2-3-1 formations. Martinelli brings pace and defensive work rate, qualities that were missing from Al-Hilal's attack last season. This change is not merely replacing one star with another. Benzema, at 38, can no longer cope with the intensity of the Saudi Pro League. He often dropped deep to link play, causing congestion with midfielders and slowing down attacks. Watkins, at 30, remains in his prime, capable of playing high and pressing the opponent's box. However, the question is whether Al-Hilal's midfield can adapt quickly to long, over-the-top passes to serve Watkins' speed bursts. In the last three matches of the new season, the team has scored fewer goals than expected, indicating that the transition is not yet seamless. Financially, the Watkins deal is estimated at £40-60 million, a significant sum for a 30-year-old. But Al-Hilal differ from European clubs; they are backed by the Saudi Public Investment Fund (PIF), so they face no financial fair play constraints. In my analysis, this deal acknowledges the failed investment in Benzema. Rather than continuing to pay astronomical wages for a declining asset, they accepted a settlement to terminate his contract early, freeing up a foreign player slot. More importantly, they are shifting from a model of buying aging stars to acquiring peak-performing players—a more sustainable strategy in terms of physical output and utility. However, the pressure on Watkins is immense. As an England international, every move in the Saudi Pro League will be scrutinized through the lens of "Why did he leave the Premier League?" and "Is this league competitive enough?" If he fails to adapt quickly to the climate, culture, and playing style, the risk of being labeled a "flop" is real. Al-Hilal fans are notoriously demanding; they are accustomed to winning and expect immediate trophies. Moreover, the foreign player quota (typically 8 per club in the SPL) will force the club to offload more players if Martinelli officially joins. A contrarian view: Al-Hilal's heavy spending could inadvertently reduce the league's competitiveness. When one club signs three prime Premier League players, direct rivals like Al-Nassr and Al-Ittihad may be left behind. This leads to an imbalanced league where only two or three teams compete for the title, while the rest merely fill the schedule. On a broader scale, this reflects a global trend: wealthy leagues are draining talent from Europe, potentially diminishing the quality of competitions like the Premier League if they do not respond financially. Lessons from similar transfers show that moving from an intensely competitive environment like the Premier League to a lower tactical level often involves a long adaptation period. Look at Jordan Henderson: he joined Al-Ettifaq and demanded a return to Europe after just six months. Watkins' emotional farewell to Aston Villa is a good sign that he left without acrimony, which bodes well for his attitude. But integrating into a completely different football culture is no small challenge. From my personal experience following Saudi football since the early wave of "aging stars" arrived, I see a clear maturation in Al-Hilal's strategy. They are no longer chasing fame but effectiveness. Signing Watkins, one of the best off-ball runners in the Premier League, is proof. But tactics only work when given time. If coach Jorge Jesus can build a synchronized pressing block early in the season, Al-Hilal will be a strong contender for the AFC Champions League Elite. If not, they will repeat the previous cycle: expensive stars lacking cohesion. Benzema's departure marks the end of a brief era. He joined Al-Hilal in the summer of 2026 as a blockbuster signing, but injuries and declining form limited him to 9 goals in 21 league matches. The current settlement is said to benefit both parties: Benzema frees himself from an unsuitable environment, while Al-Hilal saves a massive wage bill. In my logic, this is a correct albeit slightly late decision. In this context, Al-Hilal are betting on a new generation: Watkins, Summerville, Martinelli. They are all young or in their prime, motivated, and capable of playing modern, high-tempo football. I believe this is the right direction for Saudi football if they want to shed the "retirement league" label. The biggest question now is not how many goals Watkins will score, but whether coach Jorge Jesus can build a well-functioning collective. When the pitch opens, the money has already revealed its identity. Now, football will judge.