Aston Villa close in on Chelsea striker Nicolas Jackson in summer transfer move

Aston Villa are closing in on a deal to sign Chelsea striker Nicolas Jackson during the current summer transfer window, according to transfer journalist Fabrizio Romano.

Romano says Aston Villa have reached an agreement with Jackson, with the Senegal international accepting the personal terms offered by the Premier League club. The move is not yet described as complete, but Villa are pushing to secure the forward before the registration deadline.

Manager Unai Emery is pressing for Jackson’s arrival as he looks to strengthen his attack. Aston Villa are prepared to pay more than £60m for the Chelsea player, who joined the London club in the summer of 2023 from Spanish side Villarreal.

Jackson spent last season on loan at German giants Bayern Munich. He made 34 appearances in all competitions for the Bavarian club, scoring 11 goals and providing four assists.

The proposed move comes after Aston Villa made a difficult start to their Premier League campaign, suffering a 4-0 defeat by Brighton in their opening match.

Villa could also lose striker Ollie Watkins before the summer transfer window closes. Reports have linked Watkins with a move to Saudi Arabian club Al-Hilal, increasing the pressure on Emery to add attacking options to his squad.

Aston Villa’s next Premier League fixture is against reigning champions Arsenal on Monday, 31 August. The match will be played in the second round of the competition.

Jackson’s potential transfer would therefore give Emery another attacking option at a time when Villa are seeking a response to their heavy opening-day defeat and could be preparing for the departure of Watkins.

The Senegalese striker’s previous season at Bayern Munich followed his move to Chelsea from Villarreal in 2023. Across his 34 matches for Bayern in all competitions, he contributed 11 goals and four assists.

Romano, a journalist specialising in transfers and a reporter for Sky Sports, has reported that Jackson has agreed to the personal conditions required for a move to Aston Villa. The club’s willingness to pay more than £60m underlines its interest in completing the deal before the registration window shuts.