Arsenal could face a new-look Aston Villa attack on Monday night after Unai Emery’s side agreed a deal worth up to £65million to sign Nicolas Jackson from Chelsea.
Villa have moved quickly to replace Ollie Watkins as the England international closes in on a move to Al Hilal.
Jackson’s transfer is not yet formally complete, but the clubs have reached an agreement and personal terms are being finalised ahead of his proposed move to Villa Park.
#AVFC reach agreement to sign Nicolas Jackson. Overall package worth £65million – initial £47.5million+add-ons. Jackson set to be club record signing after long Unai Emery pursuit. Story w/@David_Ornstein on @TheAthleticFC https://t.co/ef0m1RJllV
— Jacob Tanswell (@J_Tanswell) August 26, 2026
Aston Villa agree £65m Nicolas Jackson deal before Arsenal clash
David Ornstein reports that Aston Villa and Chelsea have agreed a deal worth an initial £47.5m plus another £17.5m in potential add-ons for Jackson.
That would take the maximum value of the transfer to £65m.
Sky Sports also confirms the agreement, with Jackson now set to replace Watkins in Emery’s attack if the remaining formalities are completed.
The timing immediately makes the transfer relevant to Arsenal.
Mikel Arteta’s side travel to Villa Park on Monday, 31 August, for their second Premier League fixture of the season.
If Jackson completes his move and is registered in time, Arsenal could therefore be among the first teams to face Villa’s new centre-forward.
Jackson already knows what Emery demands
Villa’s move is particularly interesting because Jackson has previously worked under Emery.
The pair were together at Villarreal, where Jackson developed into a first-team forward before Chelsea signed him in 2023.
That familiarity could reduce the adaptation period normally associated with a major late-window transfer.
Jackson also already has extensive Premier League experience.
His pace and willingness to attack space would offer Villa a different problem for Arsenal’s defence compared with a side that struggled badly during its 4-0 opening defeat at Brighton.
Arsenal are already preparing for the game with availability issues at the back.
ReadArsenal’s latest injury preview ahead of Aston Villa details the situations surrounding Bruno Guimaraes, Jurrien Timber and William Saliba.
Saliba and Timber are expected to miss the game, leaving Arteta with another major defensive selection decision.
Ezri Konsa could face radically different former club
The fixture already carries an unusual subplot for Ezri Konsa.
Arsenal completed a deal worth up to £55m for the England defender earlier this month, and Monday provides his first opportunity to make his Gunners debut.
ReadArsenal has examined Arteta’s decision over whether to start Konsa against his former club.
The Villa side he could face is increasingly different from the one he left.
Watkins is heading towards the exit, Jackson is approaching a club-record arrival and several other senior players have moved on during a dramatic summer at Villa Park.
Arsenal therefore cannot simply prepare for the opponent they knew last season.
Jackson’s deal still needs to be completed, but if Villa get everything finalised in time, Monday night’s challenge could have another significant new dimension.
Arsenal Transfer News: Defensive Focus Intensifies as Vinícius Pursuit Ends
Arsenal Transfer News: Defensive Focus Intensifies as Vinícius Pursuit Ends
Arsenal injury latest ahead of Aston Villa as Guimaraes decision approaches
Arsenal injury latest ahead of Aston Villa as Guimaraes decision approaches