Aston Villa currently holding direct talks to sign star forward as Newcastle smuggle to seal deal

Intermediaries have given Newcastle United the chance to sign Villarreal star Nicolas Jackson. Aston Villa, on the other hand, is in direct negotiations with the Chelsea target.

According to 90min, Chelsea is hoping to outbid their Premier League rivals for Jackson’s services. However, the Villarreal striker’s agents are in direct contact with Aston Villa about his transfer. While middlemen have also contacted Newcastle.

AFC Bournemouth are also willing to see Jackson go from La Liga to the Premier League after declining to sign the forward in January. The Cherries decided against signing the Senegal international after his physical raised concerns about an injury.

A slew of Premier League clubs are now seeking to make Bournemouth regret deferring a deal for the time being.Aston Villa have begun direct conversations with Jackson about reuniting the striker with Unai Emery. He played for Villarreal under the Spaniard.

Chelsea is also interested, although intermediaries have approached Newcastle to offer Jackson a transfer from Villarreal. After breaking out in 2022/23, the Banjul, Gambia-born star is set to have his pick of sides. In 38 games, he has 13 goals and five assists.

If manager Eddie Howe accepts the intermediaries’ offer, Newcastle may fall behind in the race to sign Jackson from Villarreal. The Evening Standard reported earlier this week that Chelsea had held negotiations with both El Submarino Amarillo and the attacker.

Jackson piqued the interest of Chelsea after finishing the La Liga season with nine goals and two assists in eight games. The Blues are also impressed that Villarreal are only asking £30 million for his deal. He is a far less expensive target than Napoli’s £100 million forward, Victor Osimhen.

The idea of playing Champions League football at St James’ Park next season could be beneficial to Newcastle. Jackson had his first experience of European football this season with Villarreal in the Europa Conference League. While Chelsea was unable to secure UEFA competition for the 2023/24 season.