Aston Villa Sign Nicolas Jackson in Club-Record £65m Deal
Aston Villa have confirmed the signing of striker Nicolas Jackson from Chelsea in a club-record deal worth up to £65 million.
Villa will pay an initial £47.5 million for the forward, with the total fee potentially rising to £65 million depending on add-ons.
The deal becomes Aston Villa’s second club-record transfer of the summer after they agreed a £59.5 million deal for Johan Manzambi earlier in the transfer window.
Jackson has joined Villa as a replacement for Ollie Watkins, who is closing in on a £50 million move to Saudi Arabian club Al Hilal.
Watkins was left out of Villa’s match against Brighton as he undergoes a medical ahead of his expected move to Saudi Arabia.
Jackson returns to the Premier League after spending last season on loan at Bayern Munich. He will now work under Villa manager Unai Emery as the club prepare for the new season.
Villa Agree Deal for PSG Youngster Mbaye
Aston Villa have also reached a verbal agreement with Paris Saint-Germain to sign young winger Ibrahim Mbaye.
The two clubs have agreed a fee in the region of £47 million for the player.
Villa turned to Mbaye after missing out on AC Milan forward Rafa Leao, who is set to join Galatasaray.
Mbaye, who mainly plays on the right wing, made 24 Ligue 1 appearances for PSG last season. He scored three goals and provided two assists.
Liverpool had also shown interest in Mbaye earlier in the summer but have since focused on a move for his PSG team-mate Bradley Barcola.
Villa have already been busy in the transfer market this summer, bringing in Alejandro Garnacho, Johan Manzambi, Leon Goretzka, Joao Gomes, Aaron Wan-Bissaka, Matteo Ruggeri and Jackson.
With the transfer deadline approaching on September 1, Emery says the club will continue working to build a competitive squad.
“We need to get balance with experience and players with huge potential,” Emery said.
He added that the club will need time to develop the new-look squad as they prepare for the challenges ahead.
