Villa close to £65m move for Chelsea’s Jackson

Aston Villa are on the verge of a £65 million deal to sign Chelsea striker Nicolas Jackson. The Senegal international, 25, is expected to join Villa with an initial fee of £47.5 million and £17.5 million in add-ons. If everything goes according to plan, this move could prompt Ollie Watkins' transfer to Saudi Pro League side Al-Hilal.

The agreement between Villa and Chelsea is nearing completion, with negotiations already advanced. The deal hinges on Jackson agreeing to personal terms, but this step appears imminent. If the transfer happens, Villa would be in the middle of a significant summer rebuilding process, following the arrivals of Johan Manzambi, Joao Gomes, Zion Suzuki, and Matteo Ruggeri.

However, Watkins' departure would mean Villa have sold five of their starting XI who won the Europa League in May. Other players like Morgan Rogers, Youri Tielemans, Lucas Digne, and Ezri Konsa have already left the club. Chelsea is evaluating a move for Argentine Emiliano Martinez, who they see as surplus to requirements after Zion Suzuki's arrival.

Jackson, who joined Chelsea from Villarreal for £35 million in 2023, has scored 30 goals in 81 appearances for the Blues. His latest game for Chelsea was in the Club World Cup 2025 against Fluminense. The forward also won the Europa Conference League with Chelsea last season. Before his loan spell at Bayern Munich, Jackson scored 11 times in 34 games.

He is expected to return to Villa with a £14.3m loan fee from Chelsea, though the obligation to buy for £56.2 million was not activated after Jackson did not meet the 40 appearances criterion. Fellow Chelsea forward Liam Delap is also likely to leave Villa, with Nottingham Forest agreeing to a £50m fee for the striker. The club is also in talks with Atalanta's 18-year-old defender Honest Ahanor, valued at £34.3 million by the Italian club.