With Ollie Watkins closing in on a £50m move to Al-Hilal, Aston Villa are in the market for more firepower this summer - with Rafael Leao and Nicolas Jackson edging nearer to moves to Villa Park
Rafael Leao looks
Rafael Leao could be on his way to Aston Villa(Image: AC Milan via Getty Images)
Aston Villa have opened talks with AC Milan over a potential move for Rafael Leao, as they also close in on a £65million move for Chelsea's Nicolas Jackson.
It's been a turbulent summer for the Villans, who have lost a good chunk of their Europa League-winning squad from last season. Morgan Rogers made his way to Stamford Bridge in a £117m move, while Youri Tielemans joined Manchester United for £35m.
Elsewhere, Lucas Digne returned to Paris Saint-Germain, while Arsenal snapped up Ezri Konsa for £51m plus a further £4m in add-ons. Now, it appears as though Villa are set to lose Ollie Watkins to Al-Hilal.
The 30-year-old centre-forward was missing from the club's Premier League opener with Brighton and Hove Albion on Sunday, a game they lost 4-0 at the AMEX Stadium and lacked firepower.
When asked about the absence of Watkins, a frustrated Unai Emery told Sky Sports after the game: "This question is for him. I can answer only with my silence."
He added: "I think you can call him and you can call his agent and he can respond," when asked if Watkins had refused to play.
The Athletic report that the centre-forward is on the verge of completing a £50m move to the Saudi Pro League, as Villa scramble to find a suitable replacement for the rest of the season.
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The publication also claim that the club have opened talks with AC Milan over the feasibility of bringing in Portuguese international, Leao.
While the 27-year-old naturally operates as a winger, it is understood that the Villans are looking for more versatility across the attacking line.
Villa are said to be keen on a loan deal for Leao with an obligation to buy. However, with Galatasaray also showing an interest, there is no guarantee that the forward will arrive in the Midlands ahead of Tuesday's transfer deadline.
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As for an out and out striker, it is also understood that Villa are hopeful of landing Chelsea's Jackson in the coming days. A broad agreement has been reached between the two clubs over a fee of around £65m.
That is made up of a guaranteed £47.5m with an extra £17.5m in add-ons. Negotiations are understood to be at an advanced stage for the 25-year-old, who has failed to find his footing in west London since his arrival in 2023.
Tied down with Chelsea until 2033, the Senegalese international seemingly has no part in Xabi Alonso's plans. It was a similar case for Enzo Maresca and Liam Rosenior last season, with Jackson joining Bayern Munich on a season-long loan.
In the Bundesliga, the forward managed eight goals in 23 games, largely playing second-fiddle to Harry Kane. There is evidently hope that he can enjoy a career resurgence with Villa this term.