Aston Villa Sign Nicolas Jackson From Chelsea in Reported Record £65m Deal

English Premier League club Aston Villa has finalized the signing of Senegal international striker Nicolas Jackson from Chelsea in a transfer valued at a reported club-record 65 million pounds ($88 million). The 25-year-old forward agreed to terms on a five-year contract on Friday. The move reunites Jackson with Aston Villa head coach Unai Emery, after the two previously worked together at Spanish side Villarreal.

Emery had announced that the forward was scheduled to complete his signing during a news conference on Friday, where the manager was speaking ahead of Aston Villa’s upcoming league fixture against Arsenal on Monday. Jackson arrives at the Birmingham-based club to fill the vacancy created by Ollie Watkins, who is finalizing a 50-million-pound ($68 million) transfer to Saudi Arabian outfit Al Hilal.

Prior to the move, Jackson had been sidelined at Chelsea and trained separately from the senior squad after being informed by manager Xabi Alonso that he was not part of the club’s future plans. His initial exclusion from the first team began under former Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca last season before Jackson was sent out on loan.

During his loan spell at Bayern Munich last season, Jackson scored 11 goals, helping the German club secure both the Bundesliga championship and the German Cup. Overall, since joining Chelsea in 2023, the Senegalese international registered 30 goals in 81 matches across all competitions. His tenure with the London club included victories in the UEFA Conference League and the FIFA Club World Cup.

At the international level, Jackson has represented Senegal in 37 matches. His international career includes appearances as a member of Senegal’s national squad at both the 2022 World Cup and the 2026 World Cup tournaments.

Watkins’ pending exit, which was confirmed by Emery alongside Jackson’s arrival, marks another major change to Aston Villa’s roster. The 30-year-old striker is Aston Villa’s all-time top goalscorer in the Premier League. According to reports, Watkins chose not to participate in Villa’s 4-0 defeat against Brighton last weekend as his transfer to Saudi Arabia neared completion. His departure follows the exits of several other key players from Aston Villa, including Ezri Konsa, Morgan Rogers, Youri Tielemans, and Lucas Digne.

Background

Aston Villa enter the season as reigning UEFA Europa League titles holders. However, the club is undergoing significant roster changes under manager Unai Emery following the departures of multiple key starters. Chelsea have also been restructuring their first-team squad under manager Xabi Alonso, parting ways with several senior players who were deemed outside the manager’s tactical plans.