Aston Villa are closing in on one of the summer's most significant pieces of business, with a deal to sign Chelsea striker Nicolas Jackson understood to be at an advanced stage. The fee is structured at around £50m up front with a further £15m in add-ons, meaning Chelsea stand to collect their full asking price if the move is completed.

The 25-year-old Senegal international is expected to agree personal terms and finalise the switch to Villa Park, where he would be reunited with head coach Unai Emery — the manager who first worked with Jackson at Villarreal before both men moved on to bigger stages.

Watkins Exit Clears the Way

Villa had long been prepared to sanction Ollie Watkins' departure, but the club needed a replacement in place before allowing England's record-breaking forward to leave. Jackson's imminent arrival resolves that equation. A separate deal worth approximately £51m will take Watkins to Saudi Pro League giants Al-Hilal, ending a six-year association with the club during which the 30-year-old became Villa's all-time record Premier League goalscorer with 91 goals. He had originally joined from Brentford in 2020.

Watkins was absent from Sunday's 4-0 defeat at Brighton, with Emery pointedly suggesting the player and his representatives should account for that absence — a comment widely read as confirmation that the striker's mind was already elsewhere.

Jackson's Record and Recent Form

In terms of what Villa are getting, Jackson's numbers are encouraging. He moved to Stamford Bridge from Villarreal for £35m in the summer of 2023 and went on to score 30 goals in 81 appearances for the Blues, also picking up a Conference League winner's medal. Last season he spent the campaign on loan at Bayern Munich, netting 11 times in 34 games and collecting a Bundesliga title. Chelsea banked a £14.3m loan fee from that arrangement, though an obligation to buy set at £56.2m was not triggered because Jackson fell short of the required appearance threshold.

His most recent Chelsea appearance came against Fluminense in the Club World Cup in 2025. At international level, he has eight goals in 37 caps for Senegal and featured at the World Cup.

A Summer of Sweeping Change at Villa Park

Should both the Jackson signing and the Watkins sale go through, Villa will have sold five members of the starting XI that lifted the Europa League trophy in May. Morgan Rogers, Youri Tielemans, Lucas Digne and Ezri Konsa have already departed, with goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez also expected to leave. Chelsea are among those in contact regarding the Argentine, who became surplus to requirements after Villa brought in Zion Suzuki from Parma.

On the incomings side, Villa have moved to reshape their squad with record signing Johan Manzambi, midfielder Joao Gomes, Suzuki and defender Matteo Ruggeri all arriving. There is also movement at the fringes: Tammy Abraham is set to join Ipswich Town on loan, with Portman Road his likely destination despite no option or obligation to buy expected to be included in the agreement.

The noises out of both clubs suggest the Jackson deal will be formalised shortly, subject to personal terms being concluded. Emery will then have the central striker he has been waiting for — and a familiar face to lead his rebuilt attack.

Frequently asked

How much are Aston Villa paying for Nicolas Jackson?
Villa are set to pay an initial fee of around £50m for Jackson, with up to £15m more in add-ons, making the total deal worth up to £65m.
Why is Ollie Watkins leaving Aston Villa?
Watkins, 30, is moving to Saudi Pro League club Al-Hilal in a deal worth approximately £51m. Villa had been ready to sell him but needed a replacement — Jackson's arrival has unlocked that move.
What is Nicolas Jackson's record at Chelsea?
Jackson scored 30 goals in 81 appearances for Chelsea after joining from Villarreal for £35m in 2023. He also won the Conference League with the club and spent last season on loan at Bayern Munich, where he scored 11 goals in 34 games.