Aston Villa‘s move for Alejandro Garnacho has not ended Unai Emery’s spending on Chelsea stars, with the club continuing to target Nicolas Jackson — a player the Spaniard knows exceptionally well.
Since completing Garnacho’s arrival from Chelsea, Villa have continued searching for another forward capable of strengthening an attack that has undergone significant change this summer.
Morgan Rogers’ £117m departure has left a major creative void, while uncertainty surrounding Ollie Watkins’ long-term future has increased the need for further reinforcements.
Jackson has therefore emerged as one of Emery’s leading targets, and there are plenty of reasons why Villa believe he could rediscover his best form at Villa Park.
Emery knows Jackson better than almost anyone.
It was the Villa manager who handed the Senegal international his breakthrough at Villarreal, trusting him in La Liga before Chelsea eventually paid around £32 million to sign him in 2023.
Emery consistently praised Jackson’s pace, movement and willingness to stretch defences, believing those qualities made him ideally suited to fast, attacking football.
Their previous relationship is thought to be one of the biggest reasons Villa have revived their interest this summer.
After falling down the pecking order at Chelsea, the striker spent last season on loan at Bayern Munich. He made 23 Bundesliga appearances, scoring eight goals while also featuring in the Champions League.
Although Bayern ultimately decided against making the move permanent, Jackson demonstrated flashes of the ‘very fast‘ pace, direct running and intelligent movement that first established him as one of Europe’s most promising young forwards.
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Football FanCast’s Verdict |
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Credibility |
Florian Plettenberg is among Europe’s most reliable transfer journalists and regularly breaks stories involving Premier League and Bundesliga clubs through Sky Germany. His reports are typically well sourced, and his latest update has been supported by wider media outlets that Villa remain in active negotiations with Chelsea. |
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Finances |
Chelsea are understood to value Jackson at around £65 million but remain open to discussing different deal structures. Aston Villa are considering both a permanent transfer and a loan, although no agreement has yet been reached over the financial package. |
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Insight |
Jackson is a dynamic striker whose biggest strengths are his pace, movement and relentless pressing. Comfortable playing centrally or drifting wide, he thrives attacking space behind defences. |
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Impact |
Jackson would give Villa another explosive attacking option capable of rotating with or partnering Ollie Watkins/Tammy Abraham. His previous relationship with Emery will also likely speed up his settling-in period. |
Jackson remains one of the quickest centre-forwards in the Premier League and is capable of playing across the front line.
His ability to run in behind defenders and willingness to occupy centre-backs would provide Villa with a different profile to Watkins, while Emery appears convinced he can help the striker rediscover the confidence that made him such an exciting talent in Spain.
Aston Villa in ‘direct’ ongoing talks with Chelsea over Nicolas Jackson
According to Sky Germany journalist Florian Plettenberg, negotiations are continuing on multiple fronts.
Villa remain in direct talks with both Jackson’s representatives and Chelsea as they attempt to find an agreement. Villa are exploring both a permanent transfer and a loan, although no breakthrough has yet been reached and discussions remain ongoing.
The structure of any deal could prove decisive.
Chelsea are apparently open to Jackson’s departure but are understood to prefer a permanent sale, while Villa would reportedly consider an initial loan if the financial package suited both clubs.
The appeal for Villa is that Emery would be reuniting with a player whose strengths he already understands, while Jackson would arrive with valuable Premier League and Champions League experience, not to mention proven quality on his best day.
