Aston Villa sign striker in possible club record deal

Aston Villa have completed the signing of Chelsea striker Nicolas Jackson in a potential club record deal.

The 25-year-old Senegal international, who joined Chelsea in 2023, has signed a five-year deal at Villa Park, with the option of a further year.

He is joining for an initial £47.5million, with add-ons potentially taking the total to £65m - which would represent a new record signing for Villa.

Unai Emery is a long-time admirer of Jackson, whom he previously managed at Villarreal, and he was top of a list of targets that had included Crystal Palace forward Jean-Philippe Mateta.

Villa had a bid rejected by Crystal Palace for Mateta and also held an interest in AC Milan’s Rafa Leao, but it is Jackson who was always their preferred option.

His arrival comes as Ollie Watkins becomes the latest Europa League winner to leave the club.

The England international missed Sunday’s 4-0 defeat at Brighton because of his desire to join Al-Hilal.

He apologised to his team-mates, but that did not slow down moves towards a deal that will see Watkins offer in the region of £400,000-a-week.

Emery told of an emotional farewell in his press conference on Friday, with a £50m move yet to be officially announced by either club.

He said: "I can tell you now Watkins, his commitment and his behaviour was fantastic.

"We didn't get a deal to finish his last match playing at Brighton, but he told us after the match he was sorry, and he told us as well he made a mistake.

"He was wrong, but we accepted it. The players as well because he always had very good behaviour and commitment with the club, with us, and with me.

"And for me, it's a fantastic guy, a fantastic guy even more than a player. And I told him bye with a huge hug and with small tears.”