Villa close to £65m move for Chelsea's Jackson

What the report says

Aston Villa are close to reaching an agreement to sign Chelsea striker Nicolas Jackson in a deal that could rise to £65m, according to BBC Sport Football. The report says the clubs have broadly settled the transfer terms, with Chelsea expected to receive an initial £47.5m plus £17.5m in add-ons, although the move still depends on Jackson agreeing personal terms.

If completed, the transfer could also set off another major move, with England forward Ollie Watkins likely to head to Saudi Pro League side Al-Hilal. BBC Sport says Jackson is expected to reunite with Villa manager Unai Emery, under whom he previously played at Villarreal in Spain. The Senegal international has been part of Chelsea’s squad since 2023, when he joined from Villarreal for £35m.

The article places the deal within Villa’s wider summer overhaul. It notes several players have already left or are expected to leave, and says Jackson would add to a squad that has seen significant change following recent arrivals. BBC Sport also highlights Jackson’s record for Chelsea and his loan spell at Bayern Munich, where he played last season. More broadly, the move matters because it could reshape both Villa’s attack and Chelsea’s forward line during an active transfer window.