Aston Villa Transfer News: Title winning striker ‘well known’ to Emery in talks

Aston Villa are reportedly expressing an interest in signing Chelsea's forgotten forward Nicolas Jackson, with the exact structure of that deal still to be negotiated. 

Villa have been in contact with the Chelsea hierarchy, thrashing out a record-breaking deal for the sale of Morgan Rogers. During those conversations, it is understood that Villa officials have floated the idea of Jackson moving in the opposite direction, albeit as a standalone move.

Jackson to join Villa on loan?

According to the Daily Mail, one of the negotiation points between the two clubs has been how an agreement for Jackson should be structured. 

Chelsea value Jackson, who they signed in the summer of 2023 for £32m, at a lofty £60m. Villa have the funds to sanction such a transfer, however, are currently aiming to tie up a loan deal instead. The expectation is that any loan deal would need to be signed with an obligation to buy in it.

With Jackson under contract at Stamford Bridge until 2033, the Blues might need to reduce their asking price though. The alternative is that they risk being lumbered with a player they don’t see as part of their plans for several more years.

Why do Villa want Jackson?

One of the biggest reasons Jackson fell down the pecking order at Chelsea was reportedly down to disciplinary issues, with red cards being received in quick succession. Villa boss Unai Emery, though, knows Jackson personally, having managed him at Villarreal and has publicly praised his “fantastic” attitude and desire for “learning”.

If that address the character side of things, there is the on-pitch side to consider as well. Jackson is a proven talent in the Premier League, boasting 24 goals and 10 assists from just 65 games, and he’s followed that up with a decent loan at Bayern Munich in 2025/26. He netted a goal every 126 minutes as the Bavarians romped to the Bundesliga title.