Aston Villa Eyes Nicolas Jackson Amid Ollie Watkins Transfer Pressure
Aston Villa are bracing for a decisive 10 days in the transfer window, with Ollie Watkins the subject of a sustained push from Al Hilal and Nicolas Jackson identified as the man to fill the void if their No 9 is lured away.
Chelsea value Jackson at around £65m and are open to a permanent sale. Villa’s interest is concrete, but only if the domino that matters most topples first: Watkins.
Al Hilal have already tested Villa’s resolve with at least one bid, their opening offer understood to be in the region of £38.5m. It was rejected. They have not gone away. Watkins is keen on the move to Saudi Arabia, and the club see him as a prime candidate to replace Karim Benzema while they work on a solution to the Frenchman’s contract situation.
Villa, though, do not want to sell. This is a striker who hit 16 league goals last season, spearheaded a Europa League triumph and fired the club back into the Champions League. He has just forced his way into England’s 2026 World Cup squad. Losing him now would rip out the heart of Unai Emery’s attack.
Emery: ‘We have an issue with him’
Emery did not pretend everything was calm when he faced the cameras before Sunday’s game against Brighton.
“We have an issue with him, it is clear,” he said. Offers are on the table, and everyone knows it.
“We had offers for him but he is our player. I don't want to sell him but it can change if it is a good option for him, the club and I can replace him in the squad.
“He is here and is a fantastic striker. We have always believed and supported him, he did it.
“There is 10 days to finish the transfer window, we will see. He is our player and I am happy with him.”
Pressed on whether Watkins has formally asked to leave, Emery pushed back.
“I don't know, maybe you have more information than us! Football is changing.
“The players are professional and Watkins is our player.”
Behind those words lies the reality of modern football: if the money is right, and the replacement is lined up, even a talisman can go.
Jackson on standby as Chelsea and Villa talk
That is where Nicolas Jackson comes in. Chelsea want a clean sale after sending the forward on loan to Bayern Munich last season, and they have made it clear they are not interested in a loan exit this time.
Atletico Madrid are among the clubs circling, but they prefer a loan deal. That stance leaves Villa in a stronger position if they choose to act, especially with relations between the two Premier League clubs described as very good at the highest level.
The summer has already seen significant traffic between them. Villa sanctioned a record-breaking move for Morgan Rogers and secured Alejandro Garnacho’s switch to claret and blue. The channels are open, the trust is there.
There is also history on the touchline. Jackson played under Emery at Villarreal, and the Villa manager knows exactly what he would be getting: a mobile, aggressive forward who can stretch defences and press from the front. If Watkins goes, Emery wants someone he can drop straight into a demanding system. Jackson fits that profile.
Martinez pushes for ‘another challenge’ as Suzuki arrives
Watkins is not the only pillar of this Villa side contemplating a new chapter.
Emiliano Martinez has told the club he wants “another challenge” in his career, Emery revealed, as uncertainty over the World Cup winner’s future rumbles on.
Villa moved early in the summer to sign Japan international Zion Suzuki from Parma, and Emery made it clear that the 21-year-old has not been brought in simply to wait his turn.
“We have two excellent keepers,” Emery said.
“We have signed Suzuki not for the future, but for now. He has shown his capacity and that he can play at our level.
“Martinez transmitted to us the possibility to have another challenge in his career, not just now and even last year, and he was thinking in case he had a possibility to change his challenges, but he stayed and performed fantastic.
“This year, again, he transmitted to us for a new challenge, and we signed Suzuki to replace him. But the scenario we have is that we have two great goalkeepers. We will see what will happen.”
Two key dressing-room leaders, both open to moves. A Champions League campaign on the horizon. A manager trying to keep control while the market swirls around him.
If Al Hilal come back with an offer Villa cannot refuse and Chelsea hold firm on Jackson’s price, the next week and a half could reshape Emery’s squad – and define where Villa’s ambitions truly lie.
