Aston Villa Closing in on Chelsea Striker Nicolas Jackson Deal
Aston Villa are closing in on a deal for Chelsea striker Nicolas Jackson in a move that could reshape Unai Emery’s attack – and trigger the end of Ollie Watkins’ time at the club.
Villa and Chelsea have reached broad agreement on a package worth up to £65m for the 25-year-old. Chelsea are set to receive their full asking price, with an initial £47.5m fee and a further £17.5m tied to add-ons.
The move now hinges on Jackson agreeing personal terms. Talks are at an advanced stage and there is confidence the Senegal international will reunite with Emery, who oversaw his early rise at Villarreal.
If Jackson signs, the domino effect is clear. His arrival is expected to open the door for England striker Watkins to complete a move to Saudi Pro League side Al-Hilal, a transfer that would have seemed unthinkable for Villa fans only a few months ago.
Emery’s rebuild gathers pace
Jackson would be another major piece in a sweeping summer overhaul at Villa Park. Emery has already sanctioned the club-record signing of Johan Manzambi, while Joao Gomes, goalkeeper Zion Suzuki and defender Matteo Ruggeri have all come through the door.
The churn has been brutal at the other end. Should Watkins depart, Villa will have sold five members of the starting XI that lifted the Europa League in May. Morgan Rogers, Youri Tielemans, Lucas Digne and Ezri Konsa have already gone, and goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez is also expected to leave.
Chelsea are considering a move for Martinez, with the World Cup winner now viewed as expendable at Villa following Suzuki’s arrival from Parma.
Jackson’s Chelsea chapter
For Villa, Jackson offers a blend of Premier League experience and European pedigree. Chelsea signed him from Villarreal for £35m in 2023, and he has gone on to score 30 goals in 81 appearances for the London club.
His last outing in a Chelsea shirt came on the global stage, against Fluminense in the Club World Cup in 2025. He also lifted the Europa Conference League with the Blues, adding another European medal to his CV.
Last season, Chelsea sent him on loan to Bayern Munich. Jackson hit 11 goals in 34 games and played his part in helping Bayern reclaim the Bundesliga title. Chelsea collected a £14.3m loan fee, but a £56.2m obligation to buy was never activated because he did not reach the threshold of 40 appearances of at least 45 minutes.
Now, instead of staying in Germany, his next permanent home looks likely to be the Midlands.
Chelsea’s own reshuffle
While Villa reshape under Emery, Chelsea are quietly cutting and carving their own squad.
Fellow striker Liam Delap is expected to follow Jackson out of Stamford Bridge, with Nottingham Forest agreeing a £50m fee for the forward.
At the back, Chelsea have been in talks with Atalanta over 18-year-old defender Honest Ahanor. The Italian club value him at £34.3m, and Chelsea see him as another long-term piece in their defensive rebuild.
One club ripping up a Europa League-winning side to chase the next step. Another cashing in on forwards to fund the next wave of talent. If Jackson does walk out at Villa Park in claret and blue, the real question is simple: who will have judged this gamble better when the season reaches its sharp end?
