Headline: Nicolas Jackson’s Potential Move to Aston Villa Could Pave the Way for Ollie Watkins’ Departure
Aston Villa may soon welcome Senegal international Nicolas Jackson from Chelsea, a transfer that could potentially facilitate Ollie Watkins’ exit to the Saudi Pro League side Al-Hilal. The deal, estimated at around £51 million, would see Watkins leave Villa Park after joining the club from Brentford in 2020, where he became the club’s all-time top Premier League scorer with 108 goals.
Although Aston Villa has been preparing for Watkins’ sale, the club aimed to secure a replacement before finalizing the move. Watkins missed Sunday’s 4-0 defeat at Brighton, with manager Unai Emery indicating that it was up to Watkins and his agent to clarify the situation.
The prospect of Jackson joining Villa is contingent on personal terms being settled, however, discussions are reportedly in an advanced phase. The player is likely to reunite with Emery, who previously coached him at Villarreal.
Should Jackson’s transfer materialize, he would be another addition to Villa’s summer overhaul, joining record-signing Johan Manzambi, midfielder Joao Gomes, goalkeeper Zion Suzuki, and defender Matteo Ruggeri. However, if Watkins departs, it would mark a significant transformation for the team, resulting in the sale of five starting players from the squad that secured the Europa League title in May.
If Senegal international Nicolas Jackson agrees personal terms and completes the switch to Aston Villa from Chelsea, his arrival is expected to trigger Ollie Watkins’ move to Saudi Pro League side Al-Hilal.
A deal worth about £51m will see the 30-year-old leave Villa Park, having joined the club from Brentford in 2020 and become their record Premier League goalscorer with 108 top-flight goals.
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Villa had been preparing to sell Watkins, but they needed to replace him before sanctioning a move. He missed Sunday’s 4-0 defeat at Brighton, with boss Unai Emery saying it was up to him and his agent to explain why.
The Jackson move remains subject to personal terms being agreed but negotiations are at an advanced stage, with Jackson expected to reunite with Emery having played under him at Villarreal.
He would become the latest player in Villa’s summer rebuild, following the arrivals of record-buy Johan Manzambi, midfielder Joao Gomes, goalkeeper Zion Suzuki and defender Matteo Ruggeri.
However, there has also been significant movement out of the club and Watkins leaving would mean they have sold five of the starting XI who won the Europa League in May.
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