£80m Star 'Tells Friends' He Wants to Join Aston Villa Over Newcastle

Aston Villa could make a move to sign Chelsea striker Nicolas Jackson in the remaining weeks of the summer transfer window, according to reports - with the Senegal star having 'told friends' that he wishes to make the switch from west London to the west Midlands over the next fortnight.

Jackson has played a key role under both Enzo Maresca and Mauricio Pochettino in his two years at Stamford Bridge, but with the ever-evolving transfer windows that take place in the capital, he has slipped down the pecking order - and that could see him move to last season's Champions League quarter-finalists.

Report: Nicolas Jackson 'Tells Friends' he Wants Villa Move

The report by Football Insider states that Jackson has told friends that he wishes to join Villa in the summer transfer window, with the west Midlands outfit having registered their interest in signing the striker.

The club lost Jhon Duran in the winter window after he joined Saudi Pro League outfit Al-Nassr, meaning that Ollie Watkins is the only out-and-out striker at the club, despite Donyell Malen and Morgan Rogers being able to play as the spearhead if needed.

However, Jackson would come into the side as an experienced Premier League talent, having impressed for two years at Chelsea. 24 goals in 65 games is a decent tally for the top-flight and with six goals in 16 games in other competitions, he could be the perfect rotation alongside club icon Watkins, who is Villa's leading goalscorer in Premier League history.

As a result of their interest, the west Midlands outfit are in pole position to agree a deal amid his preference to reunite with Unai Emery, who Jackson played under at Villarreal before securing his move to Stamford Bridge.

GIVEMESPORT Key Statistic: Despite his goalscoring prowess at Chelsea, Jackson only has one goal in 20 caps for Senegal.

It's thought that the Blues have slapped an £80million price tag on the Senegal international, despite him being behind new signings Joao Pedro and Liam Delap in the pecking order - and Villa would only be willing to pay a fee in the region of £60million for his services. However, player pressure and the added incentive of featuring under his former boss could be a huge motivator for Jackson to make a move with not much time left in the transfer window.

With the Birmingham-based side playing Europa League football next season, Villa will need genuine competition for Watkins if they want to flourish on both the domestic and the continental scene and Jackson would be an ideal candidate for that eventuality.

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