Aston Villa Target Nicolas Jackson to Replace Watkins

Chelsea are braced to lose one of their main forwards before the transfer window shuts – and the destination could sting. Aston Villa, already under pressure and short on time, have made Nicolas Jackson their top target in a move that would hand a direct Premier League rival serious firepower.

Villa’s summer has unravelled late. A string of departures in recent weeks has stripped Unai Emery’s squad, leaving the club scrambling for reinforcements with the clock ticking. The 4-0 mauling by Brighton on the opening weekend did more than bruise pride; it exposed the thinness of the squad and sharpened the urgency in the boardroom.

At the heart of the problem is the attack. Ollie Watkins is pushing for a switch to the Saudi league, and Villa know they cannot afford to be caught short at centre-forward. They tested the waters with Crystal Palace striker Jean-Philippe Mateta, but their bid was rejected and the Frenchman now looks more like a safety net than the man to lead the line.

So attention has swung firmly to Stamford Bridge.

According to CaughtOffside, Jackson has emerged as Villa’s number one objective to replace Watkins. The interest has escalated quickly. Foot Mercato journalist Santi Aouna reported this afternoon that Villa have put a 70 million euro offer on the table for the Chelsea striker, with Jackson described as “on the verge” of accepting the move.

The structure of the deal is not yet complete. Both clubs still need to agree the finer points of Jackson’s contract and personal terms, but Villa are understood to have enough space in their wage bill to accommodate him and still keep within their financial framework. That flexibility could prove decisive in getting the transfer over the line before deadline day.

For Jackson, the move carries an obvious pull. He would be reunited with Emery, the coach who trusted him at Villarreal and handed him his first-team debut. That history matters. Players tend to remember the manager who gave them their break, and the chance to step back under Emery’s guidance in a central role at Villa is believed to appeal strongly.

From Chelsea’s perspective, the timing works. A sizeable fee, a willing buyer, a player open to the move, and a window that is running out of days. For Villa, it is about salvaging a window that has threatened to spiral, and about proving that the Brighton defeat was a warning shot, not a verdict.

If the deal lands as expected, Jackson will not just be another signing. He will walk straight into the heart of Villa’s season, and straight into the battle for places near the top of the Premier League.