Aston Villa have opened talks with Chelsea over signing Nicolas Jackson as a potential replacement for Ollie Watkins, who is expected to join Al-Hilal in the Saudi Pro League. The Senegal international, valued at £65m, joined Chelsea from Villarreal in 2023 and is 25 years old. Chelsea are not willing to agree to another loan and want his valuation met, while Aston Villa are likely to press for a favourable payment schedule. Atlético Madrid are also interested in the player. Unai Emery, the Aston Villa manager, previously worked with Jackson at Villarreal, adding familiarity to the pursuit.
How does this fit Aston Villa’s summer plans?
The interest in Jackson comes as Aston Villa prepare for life after Ollie Watkins, whose departure to Al-Hilal would leave a vacancy in attack. Villa have earmarked Jackson as a direct replacement, leveraging Emery’s prior relationship with the player from their time at Villarreal. The club’s approach reflects a strategy to secure experienced Premier League talent rather than rely on untested options. This move aligns with their ambition to remain competitive in Europe and domestically despite losing a key scorer.
What is Chelsea’s stance on the deal?
Chelsea opened talks over selling Nicolas Jackson but are not willing to accept another loan arrangement. They want his £65m valuation met in full, indicating a preference for a permanent transfer that recoups a significant portion of their investment. Jackson managed only one league goal last season and was hindered by injuries after joining from Villarreal, which may affect Chelsea’s willingness to lower their demands. However, interest from Atlético Madrid and Aston Villa could spark competition for his signature.
Where does Aston Villa stand in the Premier League?
Aston Villa currently sit 20th in the Premier League with 0 points from 1 game, having lost their opening fixture. They have scored 0 goals and conceded 4, leaving them with a goal difference of -4. The team are 3 points behind leaders Brighton and face Arsenal at home on 2026-08-31 in their next fixture. These early-season challenges make strengthening the squad a priority, particularly in attack where goals have been scarce.
What does this mean for the transfer window?
The pursuit of Nicolas Jackson highlights Aston Villa’s proactive approach in the transfer window, which shuts next Tuesday. Securing a player of Jackson’s calibre would signal intent to replace Watkins adequately and maintain attacking depth. With Emery’s familiarity and Villa’s clear targeting, the talks could progress quickly if Chelsea soften their stance on payment terms. Fans can follow developments through our squad page and check upcoming fixtures on our fixtures page as the deadline approaches.
