Nicolas Jackson nears £65m move to Aston Villa as Emery clears air with Watkins
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.
Read the full story at theguardian.comA £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.
Context added by Socc360, not by theguardian.com.
Data source: theguardian.com (via Socc360). Last updated .
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