Aston Villa would be ready to sanction the departure of Ollie Watkins if they manage to sign Chelsea outcast Nicolas Jackson.
According to a report from TBR Football, Aston Villa would be willing to cash in on Ollie Watkins if they manage to reunite Nicolas Jackson with Unai Emery. Villa chief Monchi is working hard to secure the services of the Chelsea outcast, who is keen on making a move away before the end of the window.
Jackson came up the ranks at Villarreal and made a name for himself while playing for their first team before joining Chelsea in the summer of 2023 for £30 million. While he has done a decent job for the London club, the 24-year-old hasn’t lived up to their expectations.
The Blues were not confident about him being their preferred choice up top; as a result, they ended up signing Joao Pedro and Liam Delap this summer. Following their arrival, Jackson has gone down the pecking order, and the Blues are ready to cash in on him.
Meanwhile, the player is also keen on securing a move away in search of a prominent role. While he is ready to leave Chelsea, he wants to continue in the Premier League. Aston Villa are ready to offer him that opportunity as Unai Emery remains a massive admirer of the Senegalese international.
Villa’s move for Jackson could trigger Watkins’ exit
Emery worked with him during his time at Villarreal. The Spanish manager was the one who brought him into the first team and handed him his debut. He has delivered a glowing endorsement of Jackson, and their chief Monchi is working hard to bring him to Villa Park.
If he manages to strike a deal with Chelsea and bring the 24-year-old to the club, Villa would then be open to selling Watkins, who has been linked with a move away since the start of the summer. While the 29-year-old has three years left on his deal, he seems keen on trying a new challenge.
Jackson’s move to Villa could trigger a domino effect, with Newcastle turning their attention to top target Ollie Watkins. That, in turn, may pave the way for Alexander Isak’s departure, as the striker continues to push for a move to rivals Liverpool.