Aston Villa agree £65m Nicolas Jackson deal as Watkins nears £50m Al-Hilal move

Villa reconstruct attack with Jackson agreement

Aston Villa reached a broad agreement with Chelsea on Wednesday to sign Senegal striker Nicolas Jackson in a transfer package worth up to £65 million. Under the negotiated terms, Villa will pay an initial £47.5 million with £17.5 million in performance-related add-ons. The 25-year-old forward previously played under Villa head coach Unai Emery at Villarreal, scoring 13 goals before completing a move to Stamford Bridge in 2023. Jackson spent the 2025–2026 season on loan at Bayern Munich, registering 11 goals in 34 appearances as the club won the Bundesliga. Chelsea had secured a £14.3 million loan fee from Bayern, but a £56.2 million purchase obligation lapsed after Jackson made only 13 starts across league and Champions League fixtures. The agreement marks the third transaction between Villa and Chelsea during the current window, following Morgan Rogers's £117 million transfer to London and Alejandro Garnacho's loan move to Villa.

Watkins prepares for Saudi Pro League switch

Jackson's expected arrival at Villa Park clears the path for Ollie Watkins to complete a transfer to Saudi Arabian club Al-Hilal. The Riyadh-based side agreed to pay £50 million plus add-ons for the 30-year-old forward, offering him a three-year contract subject to a medical. Watkins scored 21 goals in 55 appearances last season during Villa's Europa League title campaign, but did not feature in the opening 4-0 league defeat against Brighton after requesting a transfer. Villa had previously rejected four bids from Al-Hilal, including a £45 million offer on 21 August, following unsuccessful discussions over a contract extension beyond 2028. Emery addressed the situation after Watkins returned to squad training on Monday.

He's our player, I don't want to sell him, but that can change because if it's a good option for him, good option for the club and I can replace him, this is the routine we have.

Newcastle complete Gonzalez signing from Manchester City

Elsewhere in the Premier League, Newcastle United confirmed the transfer of Spanish midfielder Nico Gonzalez from Manchester City for an initial £48 million, with £4 million due in potential add-ons. The 24-year-old agreed a long-term contract at St James' Park to reinforce a midfield that saw Bruno Guimaraes and Sandro Tonali depart for Arsenal and Tottenham Hotspur earlier this summer. Gonzalez made 59 appearances for City after joining from Porto in February 2025, but started only two Premier League matches following the January transfer window. Newcastle head coach Matthias Jaissle outlined the qualities Gonzalez will bring to his squad.

Nico is a really strong ball carrier, somebody who can drive the team forward while staying composed under pressure. He also brings discipline defensively, he reads the game well and his physicality makes him well suited to the Premier League.

Defensive restructuring across the Premier League

Villa's summer overhaul continues in defense following Ezri Konsa's transfer to Arsenal. The club shifted its focus toward West Ham United defender Jean-Clair Todibo after talks stalled for Club Brugge centre-back Joel Ordonez. Crystal Palace entered advanced negotiations for the 22-year-old Ecuadorian defender on an initial loan with a €30 million obligation, moving ahead of Villa due to concerns over a metatarsal fracture Ordonez sustained at the World Cup. Palace accelerated defensive recruitment after selling Maxence Lacroix to Chelsea for £52 million and losing Chadi Riad to injury. Chelsea manager Xabi Alonso also confirmed that midfielder Enzo Fernandez will remain in the squad for Thursday's Carabao Cup match against Luton Town, despite ongoing transfer interest from Manchester City.