Jackson deal expected to trigger Watkins exit

If Senegal international Nicolas Jackson agrees personal terms and completes the switch to Aston Villa from Chelsea, his arrival is expected to trigger Ollie Watkins‘ move to Saudi Pro League side Al-Hilal.

A deal worth about £51m will see the 30-year-old leave Villa Park, having joined the club from Brentford in 2020 and become their record Premier League goalscorer with 108 top-flight goals.

Villa had been preparing to sell Watkins, but they needed to replace him before sanctioning a move. He missed Sunday’s 4-0 defeat at Brighton, with boss Unai Emery saying it was up to him and his agent to explain why.

The Jackson move remains subject to personal terms being agreed but negotiations are at an advanced stage, with Jackson expected to reunite with Emery having played under him at Villarreal.

He would become the latest player in Villa’s summer rebuild, following the arrivals of record-buy Johan Manzambi, midfielder Joao Gomes, goalkeeper Zion Suzuki and defender Matteo Ruggeri.

However, there has also been significant movement out of the club and Watkins leaving would mean they have sold five of the starting XI who won the Europa League in May.