Aston Villa bid €70m for Senegal striker Nicolas Jackson

Aston Villa have made a €70m offer for Senegal international Nicolas Jackson as they look to strengthen their attack before the summer transfer window closes.

According to Foot Mercato, Chelsea are close to reaching an agreement with the Birmingham-based club over the transfer of the 25-year-old forward.

Villa are yet to agree personal terms with Jackson, however, leaving further negotiations to be completed before a move can be finalised.

The Senegal striker joined Chelsea from Villarreal three years ago and remains under a long-term contract at Stamford Bridge.

Jackson returns to Premier League transfer market

Jackson spent last season on loan at Bayern Munich, where he scored 11 goals and provided four assists in 34 appearances.

He has scored 30 goals in 81 appearances for Chelsea since arriving from Villarreal, but is reportedly not part of Xabi Alonso’s plans for the new campaign.

A move to Aston Villa would give Jackson the opportunity to remain in the Premier League while taking on a new challenge under Unai Emery.

For Senegal, the potential transfer would also keep one of the country’s leading attacking players at a club competing in one of Europe’s biggest domestic leagues.

Villa also failed with Mateta bid

Aston Villa have also been looking at other options to reinforce their attack.

Foot Mercato reports that Crystal Palace rejected a €22m offer from Villa for France international forward Jean-Philippe Mateta.

Villa are under pressure to improve their squad after losing several key players during the summer, including Lucas Digne, Ezri Konsa, Youri Tielemans and Morgan Rogers.

Their need for attacking reinforcements has been underlined by their difficult start to the Premier League season, with Villa suffering a 4-0 defeat by Brighton in their opening match.

With the transfer window approaching its conclusion, Villa now face further negotiations over Jackson as they attempt to reshape their squad and recover from their disappointing start.