Nicolas Jackson is closing in on a move from Chelsea to Aston Villa after the two clubs reached an agreement over a deal that could eventually be worth £65 million.

The 25-year-old striker has reportedly given the green light to Villa’s project after speaking with manager Unai Emery, leaving the transfer in its final stages. Personal terms are now being finalized before Jackson undergoes a medical and completes his move away from Stamford Bridge.

The agreement represents another major development in Chelsea’s aggressive squad reshaping under Xabi Alonso, with the club prepared to sanction the departure of a forward who has spent the past three seasons in west London.

Nicolas Jackson gives Aston Villa the green light

According to reports from The Athletic, Chelsea are prepared to accept an Aston Villa package worth up to £65 million for Nicolas Jackson.

The structure of the deal includes an initial £47.5 million fee, with a further £17.5 million available through add-ons. The size of the package reflects Villa’s determination to secure the Senegal international as they strengthen their attacking options.

Jackson has also made his preference clear.

The striker has reportedly spoken directly with Emery about the Villa project and has said yes to the move, removing one of the biggest potential obstacles to the transfer. The remaining work now involves finalising personal terms and completing the necessary formalities.

Once those details are settled, Jackson is expected to undergo his medical before the transfer can be officially completed.

For Aston Villa, the deal would represent a significant statement of intent during the final stages of the transfer window.

Chelsea prepare for another major departure

Jackson’s impending departure is also part of a broader transformation taking place at Chelsea.

The club have spent much of the summer reshaping their squad, with Alonso inheriting an enormous group of players and the need to establish a more streamlined team. That process has involved difficult decisions over several established names, particularly in attack.

Jackson’s position had already become uncertain after the arrival of João Pedro and the emergence of other attacking options.

The Senegal forward made 28 Premier League appearances last season but scored only once, a disappointing return that contributed to him falling down the pecking order. His struggles were compounded by injuries and inconsistent form, making a permanent exit increasingly plausible.

Chelsea are now seemingly ready to turn that situation into a sizeable financial return.

A potential £65 million package would allow the Blues to recover a substantial amount from a player they signed from Villarreal in 2023. It would also create additional room for Alonso and the club’s recruitment team to continue restructuring the squad before the transfer window closes.

Nicolas Jackson offers Villa a different attacking option

For Villa, the appeal of Nicolas Jackson goes beyond his goalscoring record.

The striker possesses the pace and physical qualities to operate effectively in Emery’s attacking system, while his ability to run behind defensive lines could provide Villa with another dimension in the final third.

His versatility also gives Emery tactical flexibility. Jackson can operate centrally but has previously demonstrated an ability to drift into wider areas, allowing him to participate in combination play and exploit spaces created by teammates.

Villa are expected to demand more consistency from him than Chelsea managed to get during his time at Stamford Bridge.

The move could therefore represent an opportunity for Jackson to reset his career while joining a club where he could have a clearly defined role.

The presence of Emery may also prove important.

Jackson’s conversation with the Villa manager reportedly helped convince him that the move represented the right next step. The manager’s confidence in the striker could be crucial as Villa look to get the best out of a player whose Chelsea career never quite reached the level many expected.

Why the deal matters for both clubs

The proposed transfer makes sense from both sides of the negotiating table.

Chelsea can generate significant funds from a player who is no longer central to Alonso’s plans, while simultaneously reducing competition within an overcrowded attacking group. Villa, meanwhile, gain a proven Premier League forward who still has considerable room to develop.

The £65 million maximum package also demonstrates the scale of Villa’s commitment.

Although the initial fee is £47.5 million, the potential £17.5 million in add-ons could take the overall value considerably higher if Jackson meets the required targets.

That makes the final stages of the transfer window particularly important for both clubs.

Chelsea will want the deal completed quickly so they can finalise their own squad plans, while Villa will be eager to avoid any late complications that could threaten the agreement.

Nicolas Jackson transfer enters final stages

At this point, the transfer appears to be much closer to completion than speculation.

Nicolas Jackson has reportedly agreed to join Villa, Chelsea have accepted the financial package, and discussions over personal terms are nearing their conclusion. The remaining steps are largely procedural, with the final agreement followed by a medical expected to complete the move.

For Jackson, it could be the beginning of a fresh chapter after an inconsistent spell in west London.

For Chelsea, his departure would provide another example of the club’s determination to reshape the squad under Alonso.

And for Aston Villa, securing Nicolas Jackson for a potential £65 million could become one of the most significant moves of the closing days of the transfer window.

Unless something unexpected happens during the final negotiations, the Senegal international appears destined to trade Stamford Bridge for Villa Park.