Jackson nears Aston Villa move from Chelsea: up to £65m

Nicolas Jackson is edging closer to joining Aston Villa from Chelsea. According to The Guardian, the fee is understood to be around £47.5m, with the total potentially rising to a club-record £65m including add-ons.

A “new chapter” for Emery

Aston Villa boss Unai Emery is hopeful the striker can be in place quickly enough to make his debut on Monday against Arsenal. Emery said the arrival would represent “a new chapter” at the club, with Jackson viewed as the key replacement after Watkins’ exit.

Watkins, the apology, and the context

Watkins had been Villa’s main target for continuity but turned down a new contract to pursue a £50m move to Al-Hilal. The Guardian reports Emery addressed the fallout from Watkins’ decision not to play in the 4-0 defeat at Brighton last weekend, saying Watkins apologised to him and the squad.

Emery also played down concerns that the manner of the departure could damage Watkins’ standing with supporters, pointing instead to his record in the Premier League era: 91 goals in 221 league appearances.

Meanwhile, the article underlines how busy the market remains for Chelsea. The Guardian adds that Chelsea are also working around possible business involving Emiliano Martínez (close to a £7.5m move), have Lamine Camara on a shortlist, and are waiting for Manchester City to submit an initial official offer for Enzo Fernández ahead of the deadline.