Aston Villa have recently been linked with a move to sign Raheem Sterling – but the Villans are now looking at another Chelsea forward.
In case you missed it, sources close to Aston Villa played down talk of a move for Sterling – who has been exiled by Enzo Maresca at Stamford Bridge – although Unai Emery’s side are still keen to sign another attacker before Friday’s 11pm deadline, as detailed by The Times.
Now, a different Chelsea forward is being considered by Aston Villa…
Aston Villa want Nicolas Jackson
A story from Caught Offside now states that Chelsea No.15 Nicolas Jackson is Aston Villa’s preferred choice to bolster the attack, ahead of other options such as Tammy Abraham and Dominic Calvert-Lewin.
It is said that Aston Villa have been following the Senegal international for the past 12 months to explore the potentiality of him leaving west London, with those on the recruitment team at Villa Park now internally discussing whether a move for the 23-year-old is feasible before the transfer window shuts.
Clik here to view.
Jackson impressed in his debut campaign at Chelsea last season following a £31.8m move from Villarreal in June 2023 – scoring 17 goals and providing six assists in 44 appearances across all competitions.
Caught Offside add that Aston Villa are also considering a swoop to sign Borussia Dortmund No.27 Karim Adeyemi – but the Chelsea frontman is Emery’s preferred choice.
Chelsea No.15 would surely cost a fortune
At this stage of the transfer window, we cannot see Aston Villa signing Jackson.
The man from Djibonker is remarkably contracted to the Blues until July 2031 – and has also started both of Chelsea’s Premier League outings so far this season – so it would be a major shock if those in west London agreed to a sale so late in the summer, with little time to find a replacement.
In our view, it would have to be a bid of at least £60m or £70m to bring Chelsea to the negotiating table.
Clik here to view.
In regards to the other options, West Ham have already bid to sign Abraham from Roma, while Arsenal could make a late swoop for Calvert-Lewin, so competition for alternative attackers is clearly rife.
Nevertheless, be sure to keep an eye on developments at Villa Park, as Aston Villa could still carry out some late business.
