Aston Villa are pushing to sign Chelsea star Nicolas Jackson, according to GIVEMESPORT correspondent Fabrizio Romano.
The Villans have had a very quiet transfer window after failing to qualify for the Champions League last season, with Marco Bizot and Evann Guessand their only first-team arrivals, while they were forced to sell midfielder Jacob Ramsey to Newcastle in order to raise funds.
But now Unai Emery is keen to strengthen the squad before the transfer deadline on September 1st, and has set his eyes firmly on a move for one of his former players.
Aston Villa Pushing to Sign Jackson
Nicolas Jackson
Nicolas Jackson
Jackson, who has been described as a 'monster', is expected to leave Chelsea this summer after falling down the pecking order under Enzo Maresca.
The Blues added forwards Liam Delap, Joao Pedro, Jamie Gittens and Estevao to their squad during the transfer window, and are also chasing a deal for Man Utd star Alejandro Garnacho, which has left Jackson out of the manager's plans.
Now Villa are hoping to use the relationship the Senegal international has with Emery from their time together with La Liga side Villarreal to their advantage, as they push ahead with a deal to sign the 24-year-old.
Chelsea are said to value Jackson at around £80m after seeing strikers Viktor Gyokeres, Hugo Ekitike and Benjamin Sesko all move clubs this summer for similar fees.
Villa, however, will be looking to bring that price down before the transfer deadline in order to get a deal over the line. There has been speculation about the future of Ollie Watkins, who is said to be a prime target for Newcastle this summer, but it is unclear if a deal for Jackson would hinge on the England international being sold.
Jackson is set to be left out of the Chelsea squad on Friday night to take on West Ham United, with Maresca publicly declaring that he is likely to leave this summer.
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