Aston Villa close to Nicolas Jackson agreement as Chelsea exit accelerates

Aston Villa are close to reaching an agreement with Nicolas Jackson over personal terms, with Unai Emery pushing to reunite with the Chelsea striker before the transfer deadline.

According to Fabrizio Romano, Villa have now entered official club-to-club talks with Chelsea and are prepared to spend a package worth more than £60million to complete the transfer.

Jackson’s potential departure comes after Chelsea sold Liam Delap to Nottingham Forest, with the Blues now working towards another significant striker exit.

One of the biggest obstacles to the transfer appears close to being removed.

Villa are said to have almost reached a full agreement with Jackson and his representatives over personal terms, allowing negotiations between the two clubs to take centre stage.

Emery is personally pushing for the signing.

The Villa manager knows Jackson well from their time together at Villarreal, where he handed the Senegal international his senior debut.

That existing relationship could prove important as Villa attempt to complete one of the biggest deals of the final week.

Aston Villa are now officially negotiating with Chelsea and are willing to put together a package worth more than £60m.

That represents a substantial investment in the 25-year-old but also gives Chelsea the opportunity to make a considerable profit.

Chelsea signed Jackson from Villarreal in the summer of 2023 for approximately £32m.

A sale above £60m would therefore see the Blues almost double their original investment before taking other financial considerations into account.

Jackson isn't the only striker heading towards the Stamford Bridge exit.

Chelsea have already sold Liam Delap to Nottingham Forest, and Jackson could now become the next senior forward to depart Xabi Alonso’s squad.

His situation has been developing quickly, with Villa previously reported to have prepared a package around the €70m mark.

The latest development is particularly significant because Jackson and Villa are now close to settling personal terms while official negotiations with Chelsea are underway.

That leaves the transfer fee and structure of the deal as the major elements still to be finalised.

Villa will now attempt to finalise an agreement with Chelsea over the exact fee, bonuses and structure of the transfer.

With Jackson’s personal terms almost settled and Emery pushing to complete the deal, negotiations between the clubs are the decisive step. A breakthrough could move the Senegal international significantly closer to Villa Park before the deadline.