Jackson, Watkins, Villa
Credit: Imago
Wayne Veysey
Mon 30 June 2025 13:31, UK
Aston Villa have made a preliminary move for Chelsea star Nicolas Jackson, sources have told Football Insider.
Unai Emery is pushing for the capture of the 24-year-old as he looks to overhaul his front line this summer.
As revealed by Football Insider last week, Villa are willing to listen to offers for Ollie Watkins this summer and he is one they have been keen to sell by the 30th June accounting deadline in order to avoid breaching Premier League financial rules.
Emery is believed to be a big admirer of Jackson and sees him as having the potential to develop into an elite Premier League centre-forward.
The Spaniard knows the Senegal international well from their time together at Spanish club Villarreal.
Villa have been in touch with Jackson’s representatives about potentially signing him in the coming weeks.
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It comes as Chelsea put the finishing touches to the capture of Brighton forward Joao Pedro, with an agreement in place over a £50million deal.
Joao Pedro, Brighton
Chelsea have signed Pedro (Credit: Imago)
Villa to continue Chelsea relationship with Jackson move
Over the past few years, Villa and Chelsea have established a working relationship in terms of transfers, as the pair battle PSR issues.
Last summer, Ian Maatsen made the switch from Stamford Bridge to Villa Park for £37.5m.
Omari Kellyman had gone the opposite way one year earlier, after Carney Chukwuemeka had completed his move to West London in the summer of 2023.
If the Jackson transfer were to be completed, it would be yet another example of the two clubs helping each other out.
Aston Villa defender Ian Maatsen
Maatsen moved from Chelsea to Villa (Credit: Imago)
Aston Villa agree Kesler-Hayden deal
Meanwhile, Villa have agreed a deal with Coventry City to sell Kaine Kesler-Hayden for a fee of around £3.5million.
He has been given the green light to undergo a medical and complete the formalities of the transfer.
The 22-year-old made 44 Championship appearances on loan at Preston last season and was named their player of the year.
It comes after Finance expert Stefan Borson exclusively told Football Insider that Villa are short on complying with PSR, and need sales before the end of June.
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