Nicolas Jackson left out of Chelsea pre-season tour amid Aston Villa transfer links

Senegal international Nicolas Jackson appears to be edging closer to a Chelsea exit after being left out of the club’s squad for their pre-season tour of Australia and Asia, further fuelling speculation over his future at Stamford Bridge.

The 25-year-old striker, who has attracted strong interest during the summer transfer window, was omitted from the travelling party heading to Sydney and Hong Kong for Chelsea’s preparations ahead of the 2026/27 campaign.

Jackson’s absence has intensified reports that the Blues are open to allowing the Senegalese forward to leave, with Premier League rivals Aston Villa emerging as one of the clubs leading the race for his signature.

According to reports, Villa have stepped up their pursuit of the former Villarreal attacker as manager Unai Emery looks to bolster his attacking options before the start of the new season. The Midlands club are believed to admire Jackson’s pace, movement and ability to stretch opposition defences, qualities that could complement their current attacking setup.

Chelsea’s decision to exclude Jackson from the pre-season tour is likely to be interpreted as a strong indication that transfer discussions are progressing behind the scenes. Players expected to remain at the club are typically included in pre-season preparations, making his omission all the more significant.

Jackson’s future has been the subject of intense speculation in recent weeks as Chelsea continue to reshape their squad. The Blues have been active in the transfer market, with several arrivals and departures expected as the club seeks to build a squad capable of competing for major honours under their new project.

The Senegal international has endured a mixed spell at Stamford Bridge since arriving from Villarreal. While he has shown flashes of his talent with important goals and energetic performances, he has also faced criticism over inconsistency in front of goal and has struggled to cement himself as Chelsea’s undisputed first-choice striker.

Despite that, Jackson remains highly regarded across Europe due to his physical attributes, versatility and experience at both club and international level. His performances for Senegal have further enhanced his reputation, making him an attractive option for clubs seeking a dynamic forward capable of leading the line.

Aston Villa’s interest reflects the club’s ambition to strengthen their squad as they prepare for another demanding campaign domestically and in Europe. Emery is understood to view Jackson as a player who can add pace, directness and attacking depth to his frontline.

Chelsea, meanwhile, are expected to continue evaluating offers before making a final decision on the striker’s future. With the transfer window still open, negotiations could gather pace in the coming days as interested clubs attempt to reach an agreement with the London side.

For Jackson, a move away from Stamford Bridge could provide the opportunity for a fresh start and regular first-team football, while Chelsea would free up space in their evolving squad and potentially reinvest the funds into other areas of the team.

As things stand, the Senegalese forward’s omission from the pre-season tour has only strengthened expectations that his time at Chelsea may be drawing to a close, with Aston Villa well positioned as the race for his signature gathers momentum.