Arsenal are reportedly in the mix to sign Nicolas Jackson from Chelsea, with Aston Villa and Newcastle United also considering the forward.
According to Super Deporte via Sport Witness, Nicolas Jackson has some demand in the market, with a host of clubs, including Arsenal, vying for the Chelsea forward. Aston Villa and Newcastle United are also in the mix, as it remains to be seen whether the Blues are even interested in selling the forward.
Nicolas Jackson has been a decent enough signing for Chelsea despite the criticism directed towards the forward. He arrived in a €37 million deal from Villarreal and scored plenty of goals in his first season. The 23-year-old has impressed in his second campaign and played a more important role under Enzo Maresca.
However, recent reports have suggested he might be the subject of a move away from Chelsea, which seems difficult to envisage. Jackson signed an extension to an already long-term contract, which does protect the Blues from any unwanted overtures from rivals.
Atletico Madrid are among those linked alongside Newcastle United and Aston Villa. The Premier League clubs are expected to enter the summer market for a new centre-forward as they have requirements to fill that position, particularly Aston Villa, after selling Jhon Duran in January to Al-Nassr.
Newcastle United could be forced into the market for a new striker should Alexander Isak leave, although Eddie Howe wants to keep hold of the Swede. Both of those clubs are angling a move for Jackson, with the report stating that it might take a fee of around €50 million to tempt Chelsea into a sale.
Arsenal to rival Premier League clubs
Arsenal are the surprise contenders to sign Jackson, as per the report, with the Gunners’ search for a new centre-forward no secret in the market. Whether they feel the €50 million-rated Chelsea attacker is the right choice remains to be seen, but he is certainly an option that Mikel Arteta might consider if he cannot get hold of his priority names like Isak or even the highly-rated Benjamin Sesko.
Meanwhile, despite Arsenal and Chelsea being fierce London rivals, they have done business in the past with the transfers of Jorginho and Kai Havertz were their most recent deals. Hence, there are no problems expected between the two clubs, although the €50 million price mentioned might be well below what the Blues might actually want.
