Report: £80m star ‘tell friends’ he wants to join Aston Villa instead of Newcastle

The summer transfer window could see a significant striker reshuffle as Aston Villa prepare to test Chelsea’s resolve with a move for Nicolas Jackson.

Reports indicate the Senegalese forward has privately expressed his desire to reunite with Unai Emery at Villa Park, setting the stage for a potential £60 million switch in the coming weeks.

Jackson finds himself at a career crossroads after slipping down the pecking order at Stamford Bridge.

Despite contributing 30 goals across all competitions during his two-year Chelsea tenure, the arrivals of João Pedro and Liam Delap have diminished his first-team prospects.

This development has alerted Villa’s recruitment team, who view the 24-year-old as the ideal rotational partner for record goalscorer Ollie Watkins.

The Birmingham club’s need for attacking reinforcement became acute following Jhon Durán’s January departure to Al-Nassr.

While Donyell Malen and Morgan Rogers provide emergency cover, Jackson’s Premier League pedigree and existing relationship with Emery make him a particularly appealing target.

The pair previously worked together at Villarreal, where Jackson’s development under the Spanish tactician earned him his £32 million move to Chelsea in 2023.

Financial negotiations promise to be complex. Chelsea’s £80 million valuation appears ambitious for a player deemed surplus to requirements, but Villa’s reported £60 million ceiling reflects both Jackson’s potential and the premium for proven top-flight talent.

The striker’s personal connection to Emery could prove decisive in bridging this gap, with Jackson reportedly eager to reignite their successful partnership.

For Villa, the acquisition would represent a strategic coup as they prepare for Europa League football. Jackson’s physicality and work rate mirror Watkins’ attributes, ensuring tactical continuity when rotation becomes necessary.

His 16 Premier League goals last season – including crucial strikes against Manchester City and Tottenham – demonstrate the caliber he could bring to Villa’s European campaign.

As the transfer window enters its decisive phase, all eyes will be on whether Chelsea soften their stance or Villa increase their offer.

One factor appears certain: Jackson’s preference for Villa Park adds compelling momentum to a deal that could redefine both clubs’ attacking options for the season ahead.