Headline: Aston Villa Nears £65 Million Deal for Chelsea Striker Nicolas Jackson
Aston Villa is on the verge of finalizing a transfer for striker Nicolas Jackson from Chelsea in a deal that could reach £65 million. The two clubs have reached a broad agreement regarding the terms for the 25-year-old forward, which includes an initial payment of £47.5 million along with potential add-ons amounting to £17.5 million.
Negotiations have progressed to an advanced stage, and if Jackson agrees to personal terms and completes the move to Villa, it could pave the way for England international Ollie Watkins to join Saudi Pro League team Al-Hilal.
Jackson’s transfer remains contingent upon finalizing personal terms. Should the deal go through, he will reunite with manager Unai Emery, under whom he previously played at Villarreal.
The striker’s addition would mark another significant step in Villa’s summer transfer activities, which have already seen the arrivals of record signing Johan Manzambi, midfielder Joao Gomes, goalkeeper Zion Suzuki, and defender Matteo Ruggeri.
Conversely, the club also faces considerable player departures. Should Watkins leave, it would mean Aston Villa has sold five members of the starting lineup that participated in the Europa League final in May.
Other players such as Morgan Rogers, Youri Tielemans, Lucas Digne, and Ezri Konsa have already exited, and goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez is also anticipated to leave, especially with Suzuki’s recent signing from Parma.
In acquiring Jackson, Villa would be obtaining a forward who was signed by Chelsea from Villarreal for £35 million in 2023 and recorded 30 goals in 81 appearances during his time at the club. His last match for Chelsea was against Fluminense in the Club World Cup in 2025, and he contributed to the club’s victory in the Europa Conference League.
Last season, Jackson was loaned to Bayern Munich, where he found the net 11 times in 34 games, aiding Bayern in their Bundesliga triumph. Chelsea profited from a £14.3 million loan fee for Jackson, but an obligation to purchase for £56.2 million was not activated due to his failure to meet the required number of appearances.
Additionally, Chelsea’s forward Liam Delap is also expected to leave, with a £50 million transfer fee agreed upon with Nottingham Forest. The club is also in discussions regarding a potential move for Atalanta defender Honest Ahanor, an 18-year-old valued at £34.3 million by the Italian side.
Aston Villa are close to an agreement to sign striker Nicolas Jackson from Chelsea in a deal worth up to £65m.
There is a broad agreement between the clubs over the terms of a move for the 25-year-old, with Chelsea set to achieve their asking price with an initial sum of £47.5m with £17.5m in add-ons.
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And if the Senegal international agrees personal terms and completes the switch to Villa his arrival is likely to trigger England international Ollie Watkins’ move to Saudi Pro League side Al-Hilal.
The deal remains subject to personal terms being agreed, but negotiations are at an advanced stage, with Jackson expected to reunite with Unai Emery having played under the Villa boss at Spanish club Villarreal.
Jackson 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 had sold five of the starting XI who won the Europa League in May.
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Morgan Rogers, Youri Tielemans, Lucas Digne and Ezri Konsa have already left with goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez expected to depart too.
Chelsea are weighing up a move for the Argentine, who is now deemed surplus to requirements after Suzuki joined from Parma.
In signing Jackson, Villa would be getting a forward who joined Chelsea from Villarreal for £35m in 2023 and scored 30 goals in 81 appearances.
His most recent appearance for the Blues came against Fluminense in the Club World Cup in 2025, while he also won the Europa Conference League with the club.
He spent last season on loan to Bayern Munich, scoring 11 times in 34 games and helping Bayern win the Bundesliga.
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Chelsea banked a £14.3m loan fee from the move, though an obligation to buy for £56.2m was not triggered after Jackson failed to make 40 appearances of 45 minutes or more.
Fellow forward Liam Delap is also likely to leave the Blues, with a £50m fee agreed with Nottingham Forest for the striker.
Meanwhile, the club have also been holding talks with Atalanta’s Honest Ahanor, 18, over a potential move to Stamford Bridge. The defender is valued at £34.3m by the Italian club.
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