Aston Villa seal club-record £65m signing of Nicolas Jackson as Watkins heads to Saudi
Nicolas Jackson has moved from Chelsea to Aston Villa for a club-record £65 million, signing a five-year contract as Ollie Watkins prepares to leave for Al Hilal.
Aston Villa have completed the signing of Senegalese forward Nicolas Jackson from Chelsea for a fee reported at £65 million, the highest in the club’s history, and have secured him on a five-year contract. The move brings Jackson back under manager Unai Emery, with whom he worked at Villarreal, after being excluded from Xabi Alonso’s plans at Chelsea. Jackson leaves having scored 30 times in 81 appearances and contributed to Chelsea’s recent Conference League and Club World Cup triumphs.
His arrival replaces Ollie Watkins, who is confirmed to be moving to Saudi Arabian side Al Hilal following a dispute over his participation in Villa’s opening Premier League loss. Watkins, who led Villa’s league scoring last season, also joins other departing players such as Ezri Konsa, Morgan Rogers, Youri Tielemans and Lucas Digne. Emery praised Watkins’ commitment despite the fallout, noting a new chapter begins with Jackson.
Why it matters
The transfer sets a new spending record for Aston Villa and reshapes the club’s attacking options for the season.
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