Aston Villa are closing in on a major acquisition after agreeing a total package worth £65 million to sign Chelsea striker Nicolas Jackson. The 25-year-old forward has been a long-standing target for Aston Villa manager Unai Emery, who views the Senegal international as an ideal focal point for his system. Chelsea’s strategic plan throughout the summer transfer window focused on sanctioning permanent exits for both Jackson and fellow forward Liam Delap, and negotiations between the two clubs have now progressed rapidly toward a final agreement.

Jackson initially moved to Stamford Bridge from La Liga side Villarreal in the summer of 2023 in a deal worth £32 million, signing an eight-year contract. Since arriving in West London, he’s registered 30 goals across 81 appearances in all competitions. Should the transfer go through, it’ll mark the third major deal struck between Aston Villa and Chelsea this summer. Villa previously agreed to sell Morgan Rogers to Stamford Bridge in a club-record £117 million transaction, while winger Alejandro Garnacho later moved to Villa Park on a season-long loan deal containing a conditional obligation to buy permanently.

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