Aston Villa Seal £65m Deal for Nicolas Jackson, Reuniting Striker with Unai Emery
Aston Villa have reached an agreement with Chelsea to secure the signing of Nicolas Jackson for a total fee of £65 million. The Senegalese forward is set to join the West Midlands club, reuniting with Unai Emery, his former coach at Villarreal.
Emery Secures Top Target in High-Value Move
Reports from The Athletic confirm that Aston Villa will pay an initial £47.5 million upfront as part of the transfer package. Personal terms are currently being finalized as the 25-year-old striker prepares to move to Villa Park. Jackson has long been a priority for Emery, who has wanted to bring the forward to Birmingham for quite some time.
This transfer marks the third deal between the two clubs this summer, following Morgan Rogers' record-breaking £117 million move to Chelsea and the season-long loan arrival of Alejandro Garnacho at Villa with an option to buy.
Jackson’s Successful Past with Emery
Jackson flourished under Emery's guidance at Villarreal, scoring 13 goals before making the switch to Chelsea in 2023. Their strong working relationship played a big role in getting this deal done, with Emery confident he can unlock more of Jackson’s abilities.
The forward joined Chelsea from Villarreal for £32 million on an eight-year contract. During his time at Stamford Bridge, Jackson netted 30 goals in 81 appearances, showcasing glimpses of his talent and relentless work ethic. Yet, Chelsea has decided to cash in on his value amid a squad reshuffle under new management.
Loan Experience in Bundesliga
During the 2025-26 season, Jackson spent time on loan at Bayern Munich, contributing eight goals and two assists in 23 Bundesliga matches as they won their 34th league title. Although the loan included a €16.5 million initial fee and a conditional €65 million purchase obligation, certain conditions weren’t fulfilled.
Bayern's honorary president, Uli Hoeness, explained the purchase clause required Jackson to start 40 matches (excluding DFB-Pokal games). Jackson only made 13 starts across Bundesliga and Champions League fixtures, so the obligation lapsed, sending him back to Chelsea before Villa moved for him.
International Quality Added to Villa's Attack
Jackson brings international experience with 37 caps and eight goals for Senegal. Since debuting at the 2022 World Cup against the Netherlands, he has become a key figure in the Teranga Lions’ attack. He recently appeared in four matches during the 2026 World Cup, providing one assist before Senegal exited in the round of 32 against Belgium.
Upcoming Fixtures Featuring Aston Villa
- Carabao Cup: Chelsea vs Luton Town, 27 Aug 2026, 20:30
- Premier League: Aston Villa vs Arsenal, 31 Aug 2026, 21:00
