Aston Villa transfer: ‘Huge’ Nicolas Jackson update after preliminary talks
Aston Villa are ready to reunite Unai Emery with Nicolas Jackson as they look to bolster their attacking options, sources have told Football Insider.
Speaking on the latest edition of Football Insider’s Inside Track podcast, senior correspondent Pete O’Rourke revealed what sources have told him about Villa’s pursuit of the Chelsea striker this summer.
Football Insider revealed on 15 July that Emery’s side had initiated preliminary talks with Chelsea to explore a possible deal for Jackson, and the Villa manager is a “huge fan” of the 24-year-old frontman.
Jhon Duran’s January move to Al-Nassr left Ollie Watkins as Villa’s only out-and-out first-team striker, and Emery sees Jackson as a player who could help fill the gap after the arrival of Zepiqueno Redmond.
Emery gave Jackson his senior debut during the pair’s time together at Villarreal in 2021, and sources havetold Football Insider that Villa are still in the market for Jackson amid uncertainty over his future.
Sources have told Football Insider that Jackson is unhappy at Chelsea after new signings Liam Delap and Joao Pedro displaced him, and this could open the door for Emery and Villa to step up their interest.
Jackson to jump at the chance to join Aston Villa
Football Insider revealed on 7 July that Chelsea have no plans to sell Jackson this summer despite the arrivals of Delap and Joao Pedro, but Emery’s keen interest in the striker could force the Blues’ hands.
Speaking on the new Inside Track, O’Rourke stated that Villa will continue their efforts to sign Jackson should be become available later this summer, in a bid to reunite Emery with the Senegal international.
“Unai Emery remains a big fan of Nicolas Jackson, so it’s no surprise that Villa are in the market for him”, he told Football Insider.
“We know Villa need reinforcements in attack – they still haven’t really replaced Jhon Duran – and Jackson’s future’s is up in the air at Chelsea as well.
“If he does become available before the end of the window, there’s no doubt that Aston Villa will be one of those clubs ready to make a move for him, because Unai Emery is a huge fan of his.”
Aston Villa to deliver Man United blow in Jackson chase
Villa aren’t the only club keen on Jackson this summer as doubts linger over his Chelsea future, with Man United keen to launch an approach for the striker in a potential swap deal with Alejandro Garnacho.
Emery’s side have already derailed United’s transfer plans after choosing not to trigger a £40million option to buy Marcus Rashford following his loan move, having missed out on a Champions League spot.
The Emery factor could prove crucial for Jackson as he looks to re-establish himself at Premier League level, and this could give Villa the green light to seal the out-of-favour Chelsea star’s signature.