Aston Villa are now ready to pounce to sign a "top player", with his agents deep in exit talks ahead of the summer transfer window.
Villa eyeing new striker amid title race
With Arsenal dropping two points in stoppage time against Wolverhampton Wanderers on Wednesday night, Villa are still in the Premier League title conversation, as they sit eight points behind Mikel Arteta's side with a game in hand.
Of course, qualifying for the Champions League is a more realistic goal, but the Villans may need to start scoring more goals, in order to stave off pressure from the likes of Chelsea, Manchester United and Liverpool, having only netted twice in their last three Premier League games.
Ollie Watkins hasn't been at his usual best, finding the net eight times in 25 league outings, while Tammy Abraham has scored once in four matches since returning to Villa Park, with his only goal coming in the 3-1 FA Cup defeat against Newcastle United.
As such, Unai Emery's side have now started looking at new strikers ahead of the summer transfer window, and they are ready to pounce to sign Chelsea striker Nicolas Jackson, who is currently on loan at Bayern Munich.
With Jackson set to return to Stamford Bridge at the end of the loan deal, Aston Villa are ready to swoop in, although there is likely to be competition, with Manchester United, Tottenham Hotspur and Newcastle United also keen.
The Magpies have been long-term admirers of Jackson and could need a replacement for Nick Woltemade, with reports suggesting the German wants to return to the Bundesliga.
nicolas-jackson-bayern-munich
Although the Senegalese striker is yet to return to west London, his representatives are already deep in talks about a move elsewhere at the end of the season, and there are indications Emery would be very happy if his side were able to win the race...
Emery personally an admirer of Jackson
The Villa manager is a keen admirer of the 24-year-old, according to journalist Pete O'Rourke, who claims the Spaniard is a "big fan", and it is no surprise, given the level of some of his performances for Villarreal and Chelsea.
Prior to the current campaign, the former Villarreal star had reached double digits in league goals in each of the previous three seasons, while also grabbing a combined ten assists across two Premier League campaign for Chelsea.
Nicolas Jackson's goal record League appearances Goals
2022-23 (La Liga) 26 12
2023-24 (Premier League) 35 14
2024-25 (Premier League) 30 10
Emery isn't alone in his admiration of the Senegal international, with Chelsea star Cole Palmer saying: "Everybody knows he [Nicolas Jackson] is a top player – he needs to keep going. The Chelsea fans and players rate him highly – we know what he is capable of."
With Watkins not at his best this season, it would make sense for Aston Villa to bring in a striker capable of challenging for a starting spot this summer, and Jackson could be an exciting option, with his Premier League experience an added bonus.
Aston Villa manager Unai Emery Related
[Unai Emery desperate to "replace" £135k-a-week Aston Villa star this summer](https://www.footballfancast.com/unai-emery-replace-lucas-digne-aston-villa-summer-transfer/ "Unai Emery desperate to "replace" £135k-a-week Aston Villa star this summer")
Villa aren't "particularly happy" with a first-team star...