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"My understanding..." - Journalist suggests Nicolas Jackson may help Chelsea to sign £100m star

Chelsea chiefs could have a unique opportunity to open the door for Enzo Maresca to sign a marquee forward, and for-sale striker Nicolas Jackson holds the key.

The Senegalese was once a key member of Maresca's first team not so long ago, with pundit Joe Cole even branding him one of the club's "most important" players in May.

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However, the arrival of Liam Delap and Joao Pedro has seemingly pushed Jackson down the pecking order.

BlueCo, by orders of UEFA, also need to trim the squad through player sales before sealing any more incomings, with Chelsea in talks to sign both Xavi Simons and Alejandro Garnacho next.

As a result, Jackson is now up for sale at Chelsea, and the 24-year-old appears ready to quit Stamford Bridge to become a star elsewhere.

The former Villarreal star bagged 13 goals and six assists last season, including a strike in the Conference League final against Real Betis, but he has scored just one Premier League goal since the turn of 2025.

A change of scenery could be exactly what Jackson needs to really go to that next level, with both Newcastle United and Aston Villa heavily linked right now.

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Villa's interest comes amid Chelsea's serious admiration of their star winger, Morgan Rogers, who's rumoured to command a lofty £100 million price tag after a stellar 24/25 in the Midlands.

Nicolas Jackson could open door for Chelsea to sign Morgan Rogers

Journalist Graeme Bailey, in an interview with the Chelsea Chronicle, now suggests that the Blues could secure first option on a future deal for Rogers by making it easier for Unai Emery to sign Jackson.

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Bailey claims that Chelsea are "desperate" to sign the 23-year-old who lit up Villa Park last season, and Jackson could hold the key, even if it may not be in this particular window.

"I do expect Jackson to go. From my understanding at the moment, I think he’s maybe more likely to go to Villa with Emery," said the reporter.

"I said also it could help Chelsea and Villa’s relationship, where if Chelsea really do want Morgan Rogers, we know they’re desperate for Morgan Rogers at some point, but if they were to, make it a bit easier for Villa to sign Jackson, then they’re not going to forget that.

“And I think they can do a behind the scenes where Chelsea secure first option on Morgan Rogers as part of that deal. All these conversations will be happening. I think there’s a real chance that Jackson ends up at Villa.”

The former Middlesbrough sensation was a pivotal member of Emery's Champions League quarter-final-reaching side, bagging an incredible 14 goals and 16 assists in all competitions, including a hat-trick against Celtic and a strike against eventual winners PSG.

He also single-handedly dismantled Man City with a goal and assist during Villa's 2-1 win over Pep Guardiola's men late last year.

Rogers' versatility as a playmaker and wide attacker could be yet another reason why Chelsea are so keen, but Villa won't make it easy for any suitor.

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