BIRMINGHAM, ENGLAND — Aston Villa have completed the club-record signing of Senegalese striker Nicolas Jackson from Chelsea in a deal worth up to £65 million, reuniting the 25-year-old with manager Unai Emery as the Europa League holders continue their ambitious summer rebuild .
Villa confirmed the arrival of the Senegal international on Friday, with the forward putting pen to paper on a five-year contract at Villa Park that includes an option to extend by a further 12 months . The total package surpasses the £59.5 million Villa agreed for Johan Manzambi earlier this summer, meaning the club has broken its transfer record twice in a single window .
The deal is structured with an initial fixed fee of £47.5 million, with a further £17.5 million in performance-related add-ons that could take the total to £65 million . Jackson’s arrival represents a significant profit for Chelsea, who signed the striker from Villarreal for £32 million in 2023 .
Jackson’s move to Villa Park marks a reunion with Emery, under whom he previously played at LaLiga side Villarreal before his switch to Stamford Bridge . The forward spent last season on loan at Bayern Munich, where he scored eight league goals and helped the German giants secure the Bundesliga title . During his time at Chelsea, Jackson made 81 appearances across all competitions, scoring 30 goals and contributing to the club’s UEFA Conference League and Club World Cup triumphs .
The arrival of Jackson is expected to trigger the departure of Villa’s record Premier League goalscorer Ollie Watkins, who is understood to be finalising a £50 million move to Saudi Arabian side Al Hilal . Watkins, who was not involved in Villa’s 4-0 defeat at Brighton last weekend, has been the subject of intense speculation throughout the summer transfer window.
Jackson had been training separately from Chelsea’s first-team squad after being informed he was not in the plans of Blues boss Xabi Alonso . The Senegalese striker had been frozen out under former Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca last season before his loan spell in Germany.
Villa have endured a summer of significant upheaval, with several key players departing the club, including Morgan Rogers, Youri Tielemans, Lucas Digne, and Ezri Konsa . Goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez is also expected to leave. However, Emery’s squad has been bolstered by the arrivals of Alejandro Garnacho, Johan Manzambi, Leon Goretzka, Joao Gomes, Aaron Wan-Bissaka, and Matteo Ruggeri, alongside Jackson.
Speaking ahead of Villa’s Monday Night Football clash with Arsenal, Emery addressed the club’s transfer strategy. “We took some decisions because it’s good for the club. We tried to compete as good as possible, but some situations are clear,” Emery said. “It’s the right way and decision. We don’t want to be a club to sell players, but our responsibility is there. For the club it’s a good deal.”
With the transfer window set to close on September 1, Villa’s record-breaking acquisition of Jackson signals the club’s determination to build on their Europa League success and remain competitive on multiple fronts. The reunion of Jackson and Emery will be one of the most intriguing storylines of the new Premier League season.
