Aston Villa are on the verge of securing striker Nicolas Jackson from Chelsea in a transfer valued at up to £65m, a move that will pave the way for England international Ollie Watkins to depart for Saudi Arabia. The clubs have reached broad agreement on terms, with Chelsea receiving an initial £47.5m plus £17.5m in performance-related add-ons for the 25-year-old Senegal international. According to reporting on the agreement, Jackson has already signalled his willingness to join Villa, with negotiations now at an advanced stage pending the completion of personal terms.
Watkins' departure to Al Hilal has been contingent on Villa securing a replacement, and the 30-year-old's move is now expected to proceed once Jackson's transfer is finalised. According to reports on the Saudi club's pursuit, Al Hilal are finalising a £50m transfer for the Villa captain, though the club had previously rejected multiple bids from the Saudi side, including an offer worth approximately £45m in earlier negotiations. Watkins, who joined Villa from Brentford in 2020 and has scored 108 Premier League goals to become the club's record goalscorer in the top flight, missed Sunday's 4-0 defeat at Brighton, with manager Unai Emery stating that the player and his representatives would need to clarify his absence.
Jackson is expected to reunite with Emery, having previously played under the Villa manager during his time at Spanish club Villarreal. The forward joined Chelsea from Villarreal in 2023 for £35m and has made 81 appearances for the Blues, scoring 30 goals. He spent the previous season on loan at Bayern Munich, where he netted 11 times in 34 matches and contributed to the club's Bundesliga title win. Chelsea received a £14.3m loan fee from that arrangement, though an obligation to purchase for £56.2m was not triggered after Jackson failed to reach the required threshold of 40 appearances lasting 45 minutes or more. His most recent appearance for Chelsea came against Fluminense in the Club World Cup earlier in 2025, and he also won the Conference League during his time at Stamford Bridge. Jackson has earned eight caps for Senegal and represented his country at the World Cup in the summer.
How does Jackson fit into Villa's transfer strategy?
Jackson's arrival would represent the latest addition to Villa's substantial summer overhaul under Emery. The club has already brought in record signing Johan Manzambi, midfielder Joao Gomes, goalkeeper Zion Suzuki from Parma, and defender Matteo Ruggeri. Earlier in the window, Villa also agreed a loan deal for Chelsea winger Alejandro Garnacho, which includes an obligation to buy, further strengthening their attacking options. However, the club has simultaneously experienced significant departures, with Morgan Rogers, Youri Tielemans, Lucas Digne, and Ezri Konsa all leaving Villa Park following their Europa League triumph in May. Goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez is also expected to depart, with Chelsea reportedly weighing up a move for the Argentine after deeming him surplus to requirements following Suzuki's arrival.
What is the timeline for completion?
Jackson's move remains subject to the player agreeing personal terms and passing medical checks, though negotiations are described as being at an advanced stage. According to reports on Jackson's stance, the forward has already indicated his openness to the transfer and is expected to sign a long-term contract if the deal proceeds. Watkins' move to Al Hilal is contingent on Villa completing Jackson's signing and the necessary administrative processes. The transfer window closes on 1 September, creating an immediate deadline for both deals to be finalised. Villa had been preparing to sell Watkins but required a replacement before sanctioning his departure, which explains why the Jackson breakthrough has accelerated the process.
Key Facts
- Jackson, 25, has scored 30 goals in 81 Chelsea appearances since joining from Villarreal in 2023
- The Senegal international spent last season on loan at Bayern Munich, scoring 11 goals in 34 games
- Watkins has scored 108 Premier League goals for Villa since arriving from Brentford in 2020
- Villa's summer rebuild has included five new signings while losing five members of their Europa League-winning squad
- Both transfers must be completed before the 1 September transfer window deadline
