Aston Villa have completed a deal for Nicolas Jackson from Chelsea, with the striker having passed his medical and signed his contract, according to Fabrizio Romano. The £65m transfer, worth around €75m including bonuses with £47.5m guaranteed, puts Jackson in contention for Monday night’s Premier League visit of Arsenal, even as Villa’s own official club announcement is still pending.
Villa Look To Respond After Brighton Defeat
Villa Park hosts the defending champions on Monday evening after Unai Emery’s side lost 4-0 at Brighton. Emi Buendia had to start up front in that match, with Villa left without a recognised striker.
It has also been a difficult summer for Villa, with Morgan Rogers, Youri Tielemans and Ezri Konsa among the players to leave. Konsa has joined Arsenal and could make his debut for his new club against his former one on Monday night, with Arteta confirming him available for selection. Villa are also without João Gomes through suspension for the game.
Deal Done, Contract Signed
Romano’s update leaves little ambiguity: “Nicolas Jackson to Aston Villa, here we go! Deal now done and documents completed. Chelsea get £65m package for the striker who completed medical and now signs #AVFC contract.” Jackson has put pen to paper on a deal running until the summer of 2031.
The Telegraph’s Matt Law separately confirmed that Jackson was registered in time to be considered for selection against Arsenal, even before Villa’s own club statement had gone out. Villa need a new striker with Ollie Watkins heading for Al Hilal, as reported by BBC Sport, and Jackson’s arrival directly addresses that gap.
A Replacement Up Front, With A Familiar Manager
Jackson spent last season on loan at Bayern Munich, scoring eight goals and providing two assists as the club won the Bundesliga title, after struggling to fully establish himself at Chelsea across 81 appearances and 30 goals in all competitions since joining from Villarreal in 2023. Emery knows the Senegal international well from their time together at Villarreal, a relationship reportedly significant in getting this deal over the line.
Villa’s need for a striker was underlined at Brighton, where Buendia started up front. With his transfer now complete, Jackson gives Emery a genuine option to hand an immediate debut against Arsenal, subject to his own assessment of the squad.
What Comes Next
For Villa, the immediate focus is on improving on the Brighton performance against Arsenal. Jackson’s completed arrival gives Emery a fresh attacking option just in time, even with Villa’s formal club announcement of the deal still to follow.
