Watkins faces a big test in Saudi Arabia as he joins Al-Hilal, a historically winning machine with record hauls at home and in Asia. The team has been spending big in the summer, with a reported fee of just over £50m for Watkins not seeming especially excessive given the sums flying around the Premier League. Al-Hilal's transfer dealings are slightly different from those of the other top teams, as they were part of the Big Four taken over by the Public Investment Fund in 2023 but were handed over to Prince Al Waleed bin Talal this year.

Watkins is joining a team that appears to be approaching top gear, scoring nine goals in their first two league games. With service from Rúben Neves, Sergej Milinkovic-Savic, Crysencio Summerville, and potentially Gabriel Martinelli, the forward should hit the ground running. Watkins' timing off the pitch looks as good as that on it, as he joins a team that demands success and is expected to be a title contender in the Saudi Pro League season.

The match between Al-Hilal and Al-Ahli, where Watkins will face his former England teammate Ivan Toney, is set to be a big clash between title hopefuls in the Saudi Pro League season. Thomas Tuchel, England's head coach, will likely be watching the match to get a look at the two forwards battling to become the clear understudy to Harry Kane as a new international cycle starts.