Villa agree Watkins sale, Jackson lined up as replacement

Aston Villa agree £50m deal to sell Ollie Watkins to Al Hilal and are set to replace him with Chelsea forward Nicolas Jackson for up to £65m; Jackson had spent last season on loan at Bayern Munich and worked with Villa boss Unai Emery at Villarreal; Watkins keen on Saudi move

Aston Villa have agreed a deal to sell Ollie Watkins to Al Hilal and are set to replace him with Chelsea forward Nicolas Jackson.

The deal for Watkins is understood to be worth £50m, with Jackson set to join from the Blues in a transfer which could reach £65m.

Watkins is keen on the move to Saudi Arabia, and at least one bid was previously rejected by Villa. They did not want to sell the England international, but have now accepted Al Hilal's latest offer.

Chelsea's plan all summer has been to sell Jackson and Liam Delap. Atletico Madrid also want Jackson, but may not be able to offer as much as Villa. Jackson worked with Villa manager Unai Emery when they were both at Villarreal.

Jackson, who joined Chelsea from Villarreal in 2023, spent last season on loan at Bayern Munich.

The Bundesliga champions had an obligation to buy the forward included in the deal worth £56.25m, but Jackson did not reach the number of appearances required to exercise the option.

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Villa have also made an offer for Milan winger Rafael Leao , according to Sky in Italy .

It comes after Galatasaray reached an agreement in principle with Milan over a deal for the Portugal international.

Villa's proposal is understood to be worth up to £38.5m as a total package.

Galatasaray's offer is worth £38.5m plus add-ons, which puts them marginally ahead as things stand.