Villa close to £65m move for Chelsea's Jackson
August 26, 2026 21:46
Aston Villa are close to agreeing a transfer for Chelsea striker Nicolas Jackson, with terms reported to value the move at up to £65m. The clubs have broadly settled on a structure that would pay an initial £47.5m plus £17.5m in add-ons, but the transfer is still conditional on Jackson agreeing personal terms.
If the Senegal international completes the switch and joins Unai Emery at Villa — the pair worked together previously at Villarreal — the transfer is expected to pave the way for England striker Ollie Watkins to move to Al-Hilal in Saudi Arabia.
KEY CONTEXT
- Jackson moved to Chelsea from Villarreal in 2023 for a reported £35m and has since scored 30 goals in 81 appearances for the club. He has eight goals in 37 caps for Senegal and featured at the World Cup in the summer.
- Last season he was on loan at Bayern Munich, where he scored 11 times in 34 appearances and was part of the squad that won the Bundesliga. Chelsea received a £14.3m loan fee; a £56.2m obligation-to-buy was not triggered because Jackson did not meet the specified appearance threshold.
- Villa have been active this summer, bringing in Johan Manzambi (their record signing), Joao Gomes, goalkeeper Zion Suzuki and defender Matteo Ruggeri, while several established players have departed or are expected to leave.
WHY IT MATTERS
A completed deal would mark another significant recruit for Villa as they reshape their squad under Unai Emery. It would also represent a major outgoing movement: Watkins’ departure to Al-Hilal would mean Villa have sold five members of the starting XI that won the Europa League in May, further underlining the scale of change at the club. For Chelsea, selling Jackson would move on a young forward who has experience in England, Germany and international tournaments, and free up squad space as they explore other transfer targets.
WHAT TO WATCH NEXT
- Whether Jackson agrees personal terms with Aston Villa and the clubs finalize the paperwork.
- Confirmation of Ollie Watkins’ move to Al-Hilal, which is reported to be likely if Jackson joins Villa.
- Additional transfer activity at both clubs: Chelsea are reportedly holding talks over Atalanta defender Honest Ahanor and have a potential sale of Liam Delap to Nottingham Forest agreed for £50m; Villa’s squad further evolution after recent signings and departures (including Emiliano Martínez being expected to leave).
KEY FACTS
- Reported fee: initial £47.5m plus £17.5m in add-ons (up to £65m).
- Jackson: 30 goals in 81 appearances for Chelsea; 11 goals in 34 games on loan at Bayern Munich last season.
- Chelsea received £14.3m loan fee from Bayern; obligation-to-buy of £56.2m not triggered due to appearance criteria.
- Jackson has eight goals in 37 caps for Senegal and played at the World Cup in the summer.
- Villa summer arrivals include Johan Manzambi, Joao Gomes, Zion Suzuki and Matteo Ruggeri; several starters from their Europa League-winning side have left or are expected to leave.