Aston Villa Close to £65M Deal for Nicolas
August 28, 2026 ·
Aston Villa are close to reaching an agreement to sign striker Nicolas Jackson from Chelsea for a fee of up to £65 million. This deal could trigger Ollie Watkins' move to Al-Hilal.
Aston Villa Close to £65M Deal for Nicolas
According to Sports.
Background
Nicolas Jackson, who previously played at Chelsea, has experience under manager Unai Emery at Villarreal, which could be an advantage in his adaptation at Aston Villa. With this potential move, Villa are looking to strengthen their team after losing several key players, including Morgan Rogers and Youri Tielemans.
Why this is important
Nicolas Jackson's move to Aston Villa could be an important step in Villa's squad rebuilding project in this summer's transfer window. With a significant transfer value, this deal shows Villa's ambition to strengthen their attack line, especially if Ollie Watkins moves to Al-Hilal. Apart from that, Jackson's arrival could speed up the process of developing young players at the club.
Main Points
- Aston Villa Close to £65M Deal for Nicolas.
- Aston Villa is close to reaching an agreement to sign striker Nicolas Jackson from Chelsea for a fee of up to £65 million.
- Villa close to £65m move for Chelsea's Jackson.
Aston Villa are in the final stages of reaching an agreement with Chelsea to sign striker Nicolas Jackson in a deal estimated to be worth up to £65 million. There is a general agreement between the two clubs regarding the terms of the transfer for the 25-year-old, with Chelsea set to receive their asking price of an initial £47.5m plus £17.5m in add-ons. If Jackson agrees personal terms and completes his move to Villa, his arrival would likely trigger a move for England striker Ollie Watkins to Saudi Pro League side Al-Hilal.
The negotiation process for this deal is already at a fairly advanced stage, although there are still several personal terms that need to be agreed. Jackson previously played under Aston Villa manager Unai Emery at Spanish club Villarreal. If this deal goes through, Jackson would be the latest player to join Villa's squad rebuilding project this summer, following the arrival of big-name signings Johan Manzambi, Joao Gomes, Zion Suzuki and Matteo Ruggeri.
However, Aston Villa also experienced a lot of player movement out. If Watkins leaves the club, it would mean they have sold five of the starting eleven who won the Europa League trophy last May. Morgan Rogers, Youri Tielemans, Lucas Digne and Ezri Konsa have already left the club, and goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez is also expected to follow soon.
Chelsea are currently considering recruiting Martinez, who is now deemed unnecessary after Suzuki joined from Parma. By signing Jackson, Villa get a striker who previously joined Chelsea from Villarreal for £35 million in 2023 and managed to score 30 goals in 81 appearances. Jackson's final appearance for Chelsea came against Fluminense in the Club World Cup in 2025, where he also won the Europa Conference League title with the club. Last season, he was loaned to Bayern Munich, where he scored 11 goals in 34 games and helped Bayern win the Bundesliga. Chelsea earned £14.3 million from the loan fee, although a bond to buy for £56.2 million did not materialize after Jackson failed to appear in 40 games for 45 minutes or more.
Meanwhile, another striker, Liam Delap, is also likely to leave Chelsea, with a £50 million deal already agreed with Nottingham Forest for the striker. Additionally, the club is also exploring the possibility of signing Honest Ahanor, an 18-year-old defender from Atalanta, who is valued at £34.3 million by the Italian club.
What happened next
If Jackson agrees personal terms and officially joins Aston Villa, this could trigger further movement in the transfer market. Watkins is likely to leave Villa, which would add to the club's list of key players being sold. Villa must continue to monitor the situation in the transfer market to ensure they can replace departing players with quality recruits.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is involved in this deal?
This agreement involves Aston Villa and Chelsea recruiting Nicolas Jackson.
Where has Nicolas Jackson previously played?
Nicolas Jackson previously played at Chelsea and has also played at Villarreal.
Why did Nicolas Jackson choose Aston Villa?
Nicolas Jackson chose Aston Villa because he had previously been coached by manager Unai Emery at Villarreal.
How much is the deal worth for Nicolas Jackson?
The deal for Nicolas Jackson is estimated to be worth up to £65 million.
When will this deal be official?
The deal will become official once Nicolas Jackson agrees personal terms and completes his move to Aston Villa.