Aston Villa are ready to enter discussions over what it would take to tempt Nicolas Jackson to embark on a fresh challenge at Villa Park if Premier League counterparts Chelsea choose to put him on the market as preparations are made for next season, GIVEMESPORT sources have revealed.
Having allowed Jhon Duran to seal a £71million switch to Saudi Pro League big-spenders Al-Nassr midway through the 2024/25 campaign, Villans head coach Unai Emery is determined to secure additional firepower and fresh competition for Ollie Watkins during the newly-reopened summer transfer window.
Teenage defender Yasin Ozcan will be among the Spanish tactician’s options heading into next term, thanks to pre-agreeing a five-year contract in February after holding negotiations with Turkish side Kasimpasa, and Jackson is on Aston Villa’s radar as a possible big-name acquisition.
Villans Pinpoint Jackson as a Possible Recruit
Midlands outfit want to see if frontman is surplus to requirements
Emery is eyeing a reunion with Jackson at Aston Villa after previously working with him at La Liga giants Villarreal, according to GMS sources, but he is having to remain patient as Chelsea have not publicly confirmed whether they would be prepared to sanction his departure during the summer.
Although the Blues are in a strong negotiating position and under no pressure to cash in as the striker still has eight years remaining on a contract which allows him to pocket £100,000-per-week, the Villans are keeping tabs on his situation as they prepare for a season which will include Europa League action.
GMS sources have been informed that Aston Villa want to discover whether Jackson will be deemed surplus to requirements and fall down the pecking order following Liam Delap’s arrival at Chelsea and, having seen him find the back of the net 10 times during the 2024/25 Premier League campaign, they are prepared to sound him out if he becomes available.
The Senegal international has been described as ‘extraordinary’ by scout Jacek Kulig, but his current employers’ decision to bolster their attacking options has resulted in Emery and members of the Villans’ recruitment department sniffing a potential opportunity to pounce in the coming months.
Jackson has been pinpointed as an option who fits the bill as Aston Villa are particularly eager to recruit big-names who already boast Premier League experience, GMS sources have learned, while they are also on the lookout for good value deals as they aim to avoid breaching profit and sustainability rules.
Emery Impressed With Jackson Development
Tactician eager to land Senegal international if chance arises
GMS sources have been told that Emery wants to land Jackson after briefly working with him during the early stages of his career and, having spoken about how impressed he was with his attitude and professionalism on his way to the top, there is a willingness to negotiate a deal to lure him to Aston Villa if the opportunity arises.
The 23-year-old has been Chelsea’s first-choice marksman since completing a switch worth in excess of £30million from Villarreal in July 2023, but the Villans are desperate to discover whether Delap is in line to leapfrog him in boss Enzo Maresca’s plans as that could leave the door ajar to convince him to move to the Midlands.
Jackson matches the profile of attacker that Aston Villa are looking for, as GMS sources understand that Emery is keen to bring in a forward who can be deployed on the left flank as well as through the middle, and he is in serious jeopardy of losing his regular starting berth at Stamford Bridge as the Blues are seriously considering signing another marksman.
GMS sources recently revealed that Emery is showing interest in handing Jadon Sancho an exit route out of Manchester United, highlighting that the Villans are aiming to show ambition ahead of another campaign which includes European action, but he is also in the market for a regular goal-getter.
