Aston Villa are on the verge of completing a deal worth up to £65m to sign Chelsea striker Nicolas Jackson, with the two clubs having reached a broad agreement over the transfer fee.

Chelsea are set to receive an initial payment of £47.5m, with a further £17.5m available through add-ons. The 25-year-old Senegal international now needs to agree personal terms before the move is finalised.

Emery reunion in the works

Jackson is familiar with Villa manager Unai Emery, having worked under him at Spanish club Villarreal. The move would mark a reunion between player and coach at Villa Park.

His arrival would also set off a chain reaction — Villa striker Ollie Watkins is expected to leave for Saudi Pro League side Al-Hilal once Jackson's switch is confirmed.

Villa's busy summer rebuild

Jackson would be the latest addition in Villa's extensive summer overhaul. The club have already brought in record signing Johan Manzambi, midfielder Joao Gomes, goalkeeper Zion Suzuki, and defender Matteo Ruggeri.

However, the departures have been equally significant. Morgan Rogers, Youri Tielemans, Lucas Digne, and Ezri Konsa have all left the club. Goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez is also expected to depart — with Chelsea reportedly weighing up a move for the Argentine following Suzuki's arrival from Parma. If Watkins also leaves, Villa will have sold five members of the starting XI that lifted the UEFA Europa League trophy in May.

Jackson's record at Chelsea

Jackson joined Chelsea from Villarreal for £35m in 2023 and scored 30 goals in 81 appearances for the club. He also won the UEFA Europa Conference League during his time at Stamford Bridge.

His most recent outing for Chelsea came in the FIFA Club World Cup in 2025, when he featured against Fluminense. He spent last season on loan at Bayern Munich, contributing 11 goals in 34 games as Bayern clinched the Bundesliga title.

Chelsea collected £14.3m in loan fees from that arrangement, though an obligation to buy — set at £56.2m — was not triggered after Jackson fell short of the required 40 appearances of 45 minutes or more.

More movement at Stamford Bridge

Jackson's potential departure follows that of Liam Delap, who left Chelsea for Nottingham Forest in a £50m deal after just one season at the club.

Meanwhile, Chelsea are also in talks with Atalanta over a move for 18-year-old defender Honest Ahanor, who is valued at £34.3m by the Italian side.