Xabi Alonso and Unai Emery are at Stamford Bridge and at Villa Park, respectively. Aston Villa have submitted a formal €70 million bid to Chelsea for striker Nicolas Jackson, with the Blues reportedly close to accepting the offer, according to transfer reporter Santi Aouna.
Villa have stepped up their search for a new centre-forward ahead of the transfer deadline, with current striker Ollie Watkins attracting interest from Saudi Arabian clubs and potentially set to depart.
With a club-to-club agreement close, Villa’s attention now turns to finalising personal terms with Jackson. The Senegal international has been linked with several clubs across Europe, including Napoli and Atletico Madrid, with the latter recently having a loan bid rejected.
Since joining Chelsea from Villarreal in 2023, Jackson has displayed pace, effective link-up play, and strong ball-carrying, though his finishing has been inconsistent. He spent last season on loan at Bayern Munich, scoring 11 goals in 34 appearances.
Chelsea are keen to part ways with Jackson this summer, preferring an outright sale or a loan with an obligation to buy.
A permanent switch to Villa Park would provide Jackson with an ideal platform under Unai Emery, who knows the forward well from their time together at Villarreal. Jackson is understood to be keen on a reunion with his former coach.
Signing Jackson for €70 million would mark another major statement of intent for Villa in what has otherwise been a turbulent summer.
The Europa League champions have lost several key players from last season and still have work to do in the transfer market.
Villa have also been linked with Crystal Palace’s Jean-Philippe Mateta, but have already seen an offer turned down.