Aston Villa have been linked with Nicolas Jackson all summer, but it’s only now, in the final week of the transfer window that they have begun negotiations for the striker’s signature, reportedly proposing a £65m deal inclusive of all add-ons and bonuses and such. Chelsea were looking for £65m flat at least, per earlier reports.
The timing of these talks isn’t ideal, but the accepted narrative is that Villa were waiting for the 45-day cooling off period (per UEFA financial fair play guidelines) to
end after the Morgan Rogers deal, so that they can classify any potential Jackson deal as a separate transaction, rather than part of a “swap” with Chelsea (which would reduce the income calculations from the Rogers transfer). Or some such.
As much as this outcome has been expected, Villa today also made a bid for Crystal Palace striker Jean-Philippe Mateta. Though that offer was rejected, the situation could get complicated. On the other hand, Villa might need more than one new signing yet, with the expected departure of Ollie Watkins and injuries to Tammy Abraham and Brian Madjo leaving them with no recognized strikers available at the moment.
