Aston Villa’s move for Nicolas Jackson has reached the personal terms stage, with a long-term contract proposal now on the table as Unai Emery pushes for a reunion. The key point, though, is that this remains a negotiation rather than a done deal, with any formal bid to Chelsea still to come if talks progress.
- Aston Villa have presented a long-term contract proposal to Nicolas Jackson.
- Unai Emery is driving Villa’s pursuit of the Chelsea player after previously coaching him at Villarreal.
- Villa could yet follow up with a formal bid, while their interest in Jean-Philippe Mateta is currently on hold.
Nicolas Jackson’s Aston Villa Situation
Nicolas Jackson is still a Chelsea player, and he is listed as No. 15 in the club’s 2026/27 squad. Villa’s latest move is aimed at the player’s camp first, with the club trying to establish whether a long-term agreement on personal terms is possible before deciding whether to turn that interest into an official approach.
Aston Villa have not sent an official club-to-club proposal as of the latest update. Emery, Villa’s manager, is pushing for Jackson and is keen to bring in a player he already knows well from Villarreal, where Jackson made 27 appearances under him.
Jackson’s recent record helps explain why Villa are still pushing. He scored eight goals in 23 Bundesliga matches in 2025, and he has also been involved in the Champions League and on the international stage, giving Villa a target with recent senior-level experience across major competitions.
Villa’s Striker Plans and the Wider Market
Aston Villa’s interest in Jackson sits inside a wider striker plan that could become more important if Ollie Watkins leaves for Al Hilal. Jackson appears to be Villa’s preferred option in that search, with Jean-Philippe Mateta and Rafa Leão part of the broader picture rather than the main focus right now.
A permanent move would make practical sense for Villa because they already have Alejandro Garnacho on loan from Chelsea, which means another loan from the same club is not an option under Premier League rules.
What Could Happen Next for Jackson and Villa
Aston Villa still have two clear hurdles to overcome if this move is going to develop. First, they need to find out whether Jackson is prepared to agree to the long-term contract being offered. Only after that would the next step be a formal bid to Chelsea, with no fee, agreement, or accepted offer in place at this stage.
Chelsea could yet face a decision if Villa push on, but that part of the process remains unresolved.
A successful move would give Emery the reunion he wants and would sharpen Villa’s striker planning at a time when uncertainty surrounding Watkins continues to hover over the squad. Until personal terms are agreed and a bid follows, though, Villa’s search stays active rather than complete.
