Nicolas Jackson nears £65m move to Aston Villa as Emery clears air with Watkins
Quick summary
Chelsea striker Nicolas Jackson is close to completing a £65 million transfer to Aston Villa, with manager Unai Emery reportedly holding talks with Ollie Watkins to clarify the forward's role.
Full article
Attributed to original sourceChelsea’s Jackson could face Arsenal on Monday
Saudi-bound Watkins says sorry for refusing to play
Unai Emery is hopeful Nicolas Jackson will complete his club-record £65m move from Chelsea in time to make his Aston Villa debut against Arsenal on Monday and said his striker’s imminent arrival will mark a “new chapter” at the club.
Jackson was Emery’s No 1 target to replace Ollie Watkins, who declined the offer of a new contract in favour of a £50m move to Saudi Pro League club Al-Hilal. Both deals are yet to be formally confirmed. Emery said Watkins’s departure reduced him to tears and revealed the England striker apologised to him and his teammates for refusing to play in the 4-0 defeat at Brighton last weekend , leaving Villa without a recognise striker.
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What happened
Aston Villa are closing in on a £65m deal for Chelsea's Nicolas Jackson, a move that would be one of the biggest of the summer window. Villa boss Unai Emery has reportedly held clear-the-air talks with Ollie Watkins to address the striker's future amid speculation he could be displaced by the incoming Senegal international. Jackson, who arrived at Chelsea from Villarreal in 2023, struggled for consistent form at Stamford Bridge but remains highly regarded for his physical profile and pressing. The fee represents a significant outlay for Villa and signals continued ambition under Emery, though questions remain over how the two strikers would share minutes.
Chance analysis
A £65m move for Nicolas Jackson would mark a statement of intent from Aston Villa and Unai Emery, reinforcing their push to compete in the upper echelons of the Premier League and in Europe. The decision to hold direct talks with Ollie Watkins suggests Villa want to keep the England forward and deploy the two as a rotation or partnership, rather than offload him. For Chelsea, the sale would represent pure profit given Jackson's age profile and remaining contract length, freeing up funds and squad space. Whether Jackson can rediscover the form that made him one of the most sought-after young strikers in Europe two years ago will be the key question for Villa supporters heading into the new season.
Aston Villa gain a high-upside striker signing but face a selection dilemma with Watkins; Chelsea lose a squad forward and recoup a significant fee.