Aston Villa are suddenly in the midst of one of the biggest squad rebuilds in recent memory amid plenty of incomings and outgoings.
There hadn't been much activity before this past week, when Youri Tielemans joined Manchester United out of the blue. The club triggered a £35 million release clause in the Belgian's contract.
Villa reacted quickly and paid a club record £52 million for Swiss midfielder Johan Manzambi. This was followed by a deal for Joao Gomes, who arrived from Wolverhampton Wanderers for £38m.
Chelsea then hijacked Arsenal's move for Morgan Rogers and paid a British transfer record £117m for the English attacker. The twists keep on coming for the Villans as they have been offered the chance to sign a former target.
Aston Villa Offered Liam Delap
Liam Delapvia Reuters
Villa have been in the market for a new striker and Chelsea have reportedly offered them Liam Delap. A report from Football Insider claims that the Blues' new boss Xabi Alonso deems the English frontman surplus to requirements at Stamford Bridge.
Delap, dubbed "fantastic", had been on Emery's radar before heading to west London from Ipswich Town for £30m last summer. After impressing in his first Premier League season with the Tractor Boys, many expected him to shine.
That hasn't been the case as Delap has flopped, enduring disastrous form since making the move. He managed just one goal in 28 league games.
Villa have seemingly been put off by the 23-year-old's struggles as they are reportedly "not interested" in signing him this summer. Emery prefers to swoop for a more dynamic and pacey forward rather than the Englishman.
That could well be Nicolas Jackson, who spent last season on loan at Bayern Munich after falling out of favour at Chelsea. GIVEMESPORT sources understand that the Villans have made an enquiry about signing the Senegalese striker who played under Emery at Villarreal.
Fees correct prior to summer 2026
All 10 found — excellent!
Jackson is Perfect For Villa
Nicolas Jackson sitting on the Bayern Munich bench
Villa are undoubtedly making the right decision not to take up Chelsea's offer to sign Delap. His poor past season is hard to ignore, and he doesn't feel like an Emery-type striker.
Jackson, on the other hand, would be an excellent addition to the Villans' squad and could be a long-term solution. At 25, he is at an ideal age to come in and lead the line for Emery for years to come.
Unai Emery Related
He Wants to Join: Aston Villa Hold Talks to Sign 'Phenomenal' Forward to Replace Rogers
Aston Villa have held talks.
A potential deal will probably be more expensive than one for Delap, but it would be worth it. He performed well for the Blues after making the move from Villarreal despite heavy scrutiny, and Emery knows him well.