Nicolas Jackson completes his move to Villa Park, replacing Ollie Watkins as Aston Villa bolster their attack.
Published On 29 Aug 2026
Aston Villa have signed Senegalese striker Nicolas Jackson from Chelsea for a reported club‑record £65 million (approximately $87 million).
Jackson has agreed a five‑year contract with the Europa League holders and reunites with manager Unai Emery, with whom he previously played at Villarreal.
Emery hinted at the transfer during his press conference on Friday, indicating that the 25‑year‑old would join ahead of Monday’s Premier League clash with Arsenal.
Jackson, who spent the previous season on loan at Bayern Munich, arrives as a direct replacement for Ollie Watkins, whose £50 million move to Saudi Arabian club Al‑Hilal is nearing completion.
The forward had been training apart from Chelsea’s squad after being told he was not part of new head coach Xabi Alonso’s plans.
Jackson leaves Chelsea having netted 30 goals in 81 appearances across all competitions since his 2023 transfer, and helped the club win the UEFA Conference League and the Club World Cup.
He was first sidelined by former Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca during the last campaign.
On loan at Bayern last term, Jackson scored 11 goals and lifted the Bundesliga and German Cup. He has also featured 37 times for Senegal and was part of their squads for the 2022 and 2026 World Cups.
Watkins’s imminent exit, also confirmed by Emery, means the 30‑year‑old will join former Villa teammates Ezri Konsa, Morgan Rogers, Youri Tielemans and Lucas Digne in departing the club.
The club’s leading Premier League scorer reportedly refused to play in Villa’s 4‑0 defeat at Brighton last weekend as he prepared to move to Saudi Arabia.
