Sources: Aston Villa told £30m will seal Nicolas Jackson deal after contact made
Villarreal are demanding Aston Villa activate Nicolas Jackson’s release clause if they are to sell him in January, sources have told Football Insider.
Villa have made the Senegal forward, 21, one of their top targets in next month’s transfer window and have registered their interest in a potential deal.
Villarreal are reluctant to lose Jackson and will only consider letting him leave if his £30million release clause at El Madrigal is met.
Unai Emery is spearheading the pursuit of the attacker after working with him at the Spanish club but is hoping to agree a fee smaller than the release clause.
Emery has made it a priority to recruit a new forward at Villa when the transfer window opens and the club will back their manager with funds to spend next month.
The Midlands giants also have a “concrete” interest in signing Jackson’s forward teammate Samuel Chukwueze in January.
Jackson was part of Senegal’s squad at the World Cup but only made one brief appearance off the bench against the Netherlands.
He is not a regular starter at Villarreal – unlike teammate Chukwueze – but has accumulated 1166 minutes of action this season from his 22 appearances for the club.
The attacker has scored three and assisted two goals in those outings.
Villa got their Premier League season back underway with a 3-1 loss to Liverpool on Boxing Day as Emery suffered his first defeat at the club.
The Villains are next in action against Tottenham on New Year’s Day.
In other news, Agbonlahor has suggested Aston Villa to accept ‘very, very big’ Emiliano Martinez bid amid ‘release clause’ claim.