Chelsea close in on deal for Villareal’s Nicolas Jackson

Chelsea are close to agreeing a deal to sign Villarreal forward Nicolas Jackson.

The 22-year-old Senegal international completed his medical over the weekend after Chelsea met the release clause of just €35 million (£30.1 million) in his contract.

Jackson has already agreed personal terms and will effectively become the first signing at Chelsea under new head coach Mauricio Pochettino.

Chelsea completed the transfer of another forward, Christopher Nkunku, from RB Leipzig for £52 million last week, but that deal was agreed months before Pochettino was hired.

Villarreal did not want to sell Jackson, who scored 12 goals in La Liga last season, despite being out injured for a long spell, but were powerless once Chelsea activated his relatively low release clause and he wanted to leave.

It has been claimed Jackson will sign an eight-year deal at Chelsea and, although that detail is yet to be confirmed, it is in keeping with the policy under Todd Boehly and Behdad Eghbali of placing young players on very long-term contracts.

Jackson moved to Villarreral from Senegal in 2019 and, like Nkunku, can play as a central striker or on the wings. He almost signed for Bournemouth in January for about £25 million, but that deal collapsed after he suffered a hamstring injury which ruled him out for most of the last campaign.

Jackson will join Nkunku, Mykhailo Mudryk, Noni Madueke, Raheem Sterling and Armando Broja, who is returning from injury, as one of Pochettino’s options in the forward areas.

His impending arrival is part of a huge overhaul at Chelsea this summer as they try to reduce and reshape their squad, but also ensure they do not fall foul of financial fair play regulations.

Chelsea have agreed a fee of £65 million to sell Kai Havertz to Arsenal, and an announcement on the move is expected next week, while Romelu Lukaku’s future is yet to be decided. Inter Milan want him back but there are also suggestions AC Milan are trying to do a deal for the Belgium international, who does not want to return to Stamford Bridge.

Chelsea are also close to agreeing the departures of goalkeeper Edouard Mendy and Hakim Ziyech, who are set to join N’Golo Kante and Kalidou Koulibaly, whose departure was confirmed on Sunday, in the Saudi Pro League.

Chelsea are also willing to listen to offers for a host of other players, including Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, Christian Pulisic, Ruben Loftus-Cheek and, possibly, Callum Hudson-Odoi, while Cesar Azpilicueta is wanted by Inter and appears likely to leave on a free transfer.

Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. Try The Telegraph free for 1 month, then enjoy 1 year for just $9 with our US-exclusive offer.