Aston Villa completed the signing of Senegal striker Nicolas Jackson from Chelsea on Friday in a deal reportedly worth a total package of £65 million ($88m). Villa will pay an initial £47.5m ($64.3m) for the 25-year-old, who spent last season on loan at Bayern Munich, scoring eight goals in their Bundesliga-winning campaign. Jackson is set to replace Ollie Watkins, who is poised to join Saudi Pro League club Al Hilal.

Watkins, Villa's top Premier League goalscorer, refused to play in the season opener at Brighton, a 4-0 loss, before apologizing to manager Unai Emery and teammates. Emery insisted Watkins' legacy remains intact. Jackson reunites with Emery, having previously worked under him at Villarreal.

He leaves Chelsea after scoring 30 goals in 81 appearances since joining in 2023, winning the Conference League and Club World Cup. He was frozen out by former manager Enzo Maresca before the Bayern loan. ESPN also reports goalkeeper Emiliano Martínez is set to join Chelsea.

Several other players, including Ezri Konsa and Youri Tielemans, have departed Villa Park.