Sources: Aston Villa work on Nicolas Jackson loan-to-buy deal
Aston Villa are hoping to negotiate Chelsea down from their current £65million asking price for striker Nicolas Jackson, sources have told Football Insider.
The Midlands outfit are operating under tight SCR constraints, and are understood to be incapable of meeting the Blues' full valuation for the Senegal international.
However, they are also prepared to be patient in the hope that their Premier League rivals reduce their asking price as the 1 September deadline approaches.
Sources say that an initial loan deal with an obligation to buy is also seen as an option, with Chelsea keen to offload Jackson by any means possible.
Villa have already held talks with the West London club over a deal for the 25-year-old, who has no long-term future at Stamford Bridge.
Jackson spent last season out on loan at Bayern Munich, and was left out by Xabi Alonso for Chelsea's final pre-season friendly.
Nicolas Jackson saga could go down to the wire
Villa's interest in Jackson has been sustained across the last 12 months, with Unai Emery a big driver behind their admiration of the forward.
The Villans' boss handed Jackson his senior debut as a youngster in their days together at Villarreal, and remains a big admirer of his ability.
The second city outfit's financial constraints mean that it is highly unlikely for them to be able to swoop in and comfortably meet Chelsea's demands.
As a result, the saga surrounding Jackson's future is likely to go right down to the final stages of the window, with neither side keen to blink first.
Chelsea ideally want to boost their coffers in full as soon as possible, but they are also aware of the fact that time is running out for them to get anything for Jackson.
From Villa's perspective, a loan for Jackson would allow them to knock any potential fee back to next summer.
Unai Emery frustrated at Aston Villa
Football Insider revealed last weekend that Emery is growing increasingly frustrated due to the continual transfer issues at Villa.
They have spent over £150m on new additions so far this summer, but have lost several key players, and were beaten 4-0 in their Premier League opener at Brighton.
Sources say that Emery feels that he cannot continue to pull rabbits out of the hat and progress the team, when the turnover in the squad is so significant.
The Spanish boss has arguably been the club's greatest asset in recent years, but his patience is growing thinner.