Aston Villa Close £65m Deal for Nicolas Jackson, Reuniting with Unai Emery

Aston Villa have reached an agreement to sign Nicolas Jackson from Chelsea for a total fee of £65 million. This move brings the Senegalese striker to Villa Park, where he will reunite with manager Unai Emery, who previously coached him at Villarreal.

Details of the Transfer

The transfer deal includes an initial payment of £47.5 million upfront, with personal terms still being finalized at Aston Villa. Jackson, 25 years old, has been one of Emery’s top targets for some time, making this signing a priority for the club's summer window.

This transfer marks the third transaction between Aston Villa and Chelsea this summer. Earlier, Morgan Rogers moved to Chelsea for a club-record £117 million, and Alejandro Garnacho joined Villa on a season-long loan that carries a conditional purchase obligation.

Jackson’s Previous Success with Emery

Jackson flourished under Emery’s management at Villarreal, scoring 13 goals before moving to Chelsea in 2023 for £32 million on an eight-year contract. At Chelsea, he scored 30 goals in 81 appearances, showing flashes of his talent and strong work ethic despite the club’s ongoing squad changes.

Loan Spell at Bayern Munich

During the 2025-26 season, Jackson was loaned to Bayern Munich, where he contributed 8 goals and 2 assists in 23 Bundesliga matches. Although Bayern had a €16.5 million initial fee and a €65 million conditional purchase obligation, the criteria to trigger the permanent transfer were not met.

• Uli Hoeness, Bayern’s honorary president: Purchase obligation required Jackson to start 40 matches, excluding DFB-Pokal games.
• Jackson’s starts: Only 13 across Bundesliga and Champions League combined.

As a result, the striker returned to Chelsea before Aston Villa stepped in to secure his services.

International Experience Strengthens Villa’s Attack

Jackson holds 37 caps and 8 goals for Senegal. Since his debut against the Netherlands during the 2022 World Cup, he has become an important part of the Teranga Lions attack. He featured in four games during the recent World Cup, providing an assist as Senegal exited in the round of 32 against Belgium.

Upcoming Fixtures

• Carabao Cup: Chelsea vs Luton Town - 27 Aug 2026, 20:30
• Premier League: Aston Villa vs Arsenal - 31 Aug 2026, 21:00