Chelsea striker Nicolas Jackson looks to be heading for the Stamford Bridge exit and Aston Villa are still in the picture as he assesses his options.
Villa have been linked with a move for the Senegal international all summer, with the signings of Liam Delap and João Pedro knocking him down the Chelsea pecking order.
Newcastle United are also interested as they prepare for life without Alexander Isak, who has been training alone after withdrawing from the Magpies’ pre-season tour as he pushes for a transfer to Premier League champions Liverpool.
Villa boss Unai Emery, meanwhile, knows Jackson well — he was the manager who gave him his senior debut for the Yellow Submarine. The Spanish gaffer has spoken highly of him in the past, telling Sky Sports:
According to Birmingham World, Villa remain a possible destination. No move for Jackson will be possible unless Villa’s valuation is met for Ollie Watkins, an eventuality that looks increasingly unlikely.
But if Watkins were to depart, Villa manager Unai Emery could look to Jackson to join Evann Guessand in replacing him. Emery was Jackson’s manager at Villarreal and previously told Sky Sports of his admiration.
“He was starting the pre-season with the U21s and when he was progressively coming to train with us, he was showing his potential,” said Emery.
“His attitude as well was fantastic. He was always learning. He was always demanding to train more, to be focused. He was also being a professional every day out of training sessions at home because he was focused on football like the first priority in his life.”
Jackson wouldn’t come cheap. He has a long-term contract with Chelsea and his reported asking price is in the region of £80 million. That’s the sort of figure Villa wouldn’t entertain but Chelsea are reportedly open to a loan arrangement with an option to buy.
At just 22, with only one full season at the top level under his belt, Jackson was picked up by Chelsea in the summer of 2023. His start was slow, scoring just two goals in his first 10 Premier League matches.
Over the course of the season, though, he improved, finishing with 16 goals and six assists in 44 appearances. His contribution helped the Blues to finish sixth place under Mauricio Pochettino.
Last season, his form dipped despite winning Chelsea winning the Conference League and the Club World Cup. He was instrumental in the Conference League, scoring three goals, including in the final, but he was benched for much of the Club World Cup in favour of new signings.
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