Aston Villa are still eyeing a move to sign Chelsea star Nicolas Jackson should Ollie Watkins leave this summer, GIVEMESPORT sources understand.
The Villans have had a fairly quiet transfer window so far after a disappointing end to the 2024/25 season saw them miss out on qualification for the Champions League, with Zeipqueno Redmond and Marc Bizot the only first-team arrivals at Villa Park so far.
But there has been plenty of speculation about potential exits, including star striker Watkins, and that has led to the club preparing plans should they receive an offer that is considered to be too good to turn down.
Sources: Aston Villa Eyeing Jackson
Watkins wanted by Newcastle and Man Utd
Chelsea's Nicolas Jackson celebrates
Jackson, who has been described as "unbelievable" by Peter Crouch, has fallen down the pecking order at Stamford Bridge following red cards at the end of the 2024/25 season and during the Club World Cup, while Enzo Maresca has also splashed nearly £100m on new strikers Liam Delap and Joao Pedro.
That has seen several clubs take an interest in the Senegal international, and Chelsea are said to be valuing the 24-year-old at around £80m for any transfer.
Villa are not actively pursuing a move for Jackson, but they do retain an interest as they weigh up potential options to replace Watkins should he move on during this transfer window. The club do not want to sell the England international, but there is a feeling that he could be subject to a bid before the deadline on September 1st.
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Villa have so far managed to fend off interest from Manchester United, who have now prioritised a move for RB Leipzig star but face competition from Newcastle, who have made a formal £70m bid for the Slovenian. GIVEMESPORT sources understand there is now a growing feeling whoever doesn't sign Sesko will move for Watkins.
Aston Villa chiefs would fight to keep him, but should they make the decision to allow Watkins to leave then they have identified Jackson as a prime target to replace him.
Unai Emery knows the player well from their time together at Villarreal and has retained a strong admiration for him. It's thought that both strikers could end up holding a similar valuation towards the end of the window too, which may make a deal easier to do.
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All statistics courtesy of WhoScored - correct as of 02/08/2025.