Wantaway Chelsea attacker Nicolas Jackson has reportedly told his friends that he wants to join Aston Villa in the summer transfer window.

According to a report by Football Insider, Nicolas Jackson is the subject of interest from Aston Villa. The Villans are eager to reinforce their offensive unit by signing a striker in the summer transfer window. So, the versatile 24-year-old Chelsea attacker has emerged as a target for the Tyneside outfit.

The former Villarreal attacker is also a target for Newcastle United, with recent reports suggesting he was open to joining the Tyneside outfit from Chelsea in the summer transfer window. However, Jackson has told his friends that he wants to move to Aston Villa, thus dealing a blow to Newcastle United’s prospects.

Nicolas Jackson and his situation

Nicolas Jackson has a critical decision to make after becoming a peripheral figure at Chelsea. While the 24-year-old has made significant progress since joining Chelsea from Villarreal in July 2023, he has fallen in the pecking order after the West London club signed Liam Delap and Joao Pedro in the summer transfer window.

The Senegalese international has turned out nearly 100 times thus far for Chelsea while chipping in with 30 goals and 12 assists. Delap and Joao Pedro are now ahead of Jackson in the pecking order, with the player in Chelsea’s “bomb squad”. So, an exit is on the cards, with Aston Villa and Newcastle United among the prospective suitors vying for his signature in the summer transfer window.

What next?

Aston Villa’s interest in Nicolas Jackson makes sense. While Ollie Watkins will unlikely depart from Villa Park in the summer transfer window after his erstwhile suitors signed other strikers, the wantaway Chelsea attacker can be the like-for-like replacement for Marcus Rashford at the West Midlands club. The latest update has boosted Aston Villa’s prospects, as Jackson wants to join them this summer.

As for Newcastle United, Alexander Isak’s decision not to play for them again has forced them to scour the market for a striker. While Yoane Wissa is closing in on joining Newcastle United, the Magpies want another centre-forward. So, Jackson has been a viable target, with Chelsea’s readiness to reduce the price from £80 million to £60 million making him an appealing option.

However, while the 2024/25 EFL Cup winners are reportedly ready to pay £60 million to sign Jackson, the former Villarreal attacker’s eagerness to join Aston Villa has dealt a blow to their prospects. So, Newcastle United must look elsewhere for another striker, with Goncalo Ramos reportedly an option for the Tyneside outfit.