Aston Villa Nears Deal for Chelsea Striker Nicolas Jackson

Aston Villa are closing in on a deal for Chelsea striker Nicolas Jackson in a move that could reshape both clubs’ seasons – and rip up the core of Villa’s Europa League-winning side.

Villa are understood to have reached a broad agreement with Chelsea on a package worth up to £65m for the 25-year-old. The London club are set to land their full asking price, with an initial £47.5m fee and a further £17.5m tied to add-ons.

The last big hurdle is Jackson’s side of the deal. Personal terms still need to be finalised, but talks are advanced and there is growing expectation that he will reunite with Unai Emery, having previously worked under the Spaniard at Villarreal.

If Jackson signs, the domino effect will be brutal for Villa fans. His arrival is expected to open the door for Ollie Watkins to leave for Al-Hilal in the Saudi Pro League, breaking up the attack that helped drive Villa to European glory in May.

Villa’s rebuild gathers pace – and bites hard

Jackson would be the latest piece in a sweeping summer rebuild at Villa Park. Record signing Johan Manzambi, midfielder Joao Gomes, goalkeeper Zion Suzuki and defender Matteo Ruggeri have already come through the door as Emery reshapes his squad for the next phase.

But this is no gentle refresh. It is a tear-down of a winning team.

If Watkins goes, Villa will have sold five members of the starting XI that lifted the Europa League. Morgan Rogers, Youri Tielemans, Lucas Digne and Ezri Konsa have already departed, while goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez is also expected to move on.

Chelsea are considering a move for the Argentina international, who has been pushed towards the exit at Villa after Suzuki’s arrival from Parma. The churn is ruthless. The message is clear: no sentiment, only evolution.

Jackson’s Chelsea chapter and Bayern detour

For Villa, Jackson offers goals, mobility and a track record at the top level. Chelsea signed him from Villarreal for £35m in 2023, and he has since scored 30 times in 81 appearances for the Blues.

His latest outing for Chelsea came on the global stage, against Fluminense in the Club World Cup in 2025. He also added European silverware to his CV at Stamford Bridge by winning the Europa Conference League.

Last season, he took a different route, heading to Bayern Munich on loan. He scored 11 goals in 34 games and played his part in Bayern’s Bundesliga title win. Chelsea banked a £14.3m loan fee, with an obligation to buy set at £56.2m if he hit a specific appearance threshold.

He didn’t. Jackson fell short of the required 40 appearances of at least 45 minutes, so Bayern walked away from the permanent deal. Now Villa are stepping in.

Chelsea’s attacking shake-up

Jackson’s likely departure is just one part of a wider clear-out at Stamford Bridge.

Fellow forward Liam Delap is also set to move on, with Chelsea having agreed a £50m fee with Nottingham Forest for the striker. The club are stripping back their attacking options and recalibrating under fresh plans.

At the other end of the pitch, Chelsea are already plotting the next phase. Talks have been held with Atalanta over 18-year-old defender Honest Ahanor, valued at £34.3m by the Italian club, as they look to reinforce their back line with another high-potential signing.

If Villa get Jackson over the line and Watkins heads for Saudi Arabia, Emery’s side will look very different when the new campaign kicks off. The question now is simple: will this bold reconstruction keep Villa at Europe’s top table, or mark the end of a remarkable surge?