Nicolas Jackson has agreed personal terms with both Aston Villa and Atlético Madrid, and both clubs are now negotiating with Chelsea.

Journalist Fabrice Hawkins reports that Aston Villa and Atlético Madrid are talking with Chelsea over a deal worth around £65m including bonuses.

He states that Aston Villa are ahead of the Spanish side at this moment in time. Unai Emery has been in close contact with Jackson regarding a move to Villa Park.

He knows the striker from his time at Villarreal and is personally pushing hard to bring him to Birmingham before the end of the transfer window.

Unai Emery is a fan

That tallies with reports Sport Witness have covered regarding the transfer. One such report, five days ago, stated that Emery was on the verge of completing a deal for Jackson and fulfilling his dream of reuniting with him at Villa Park.

A day later it was reported that Emery was key to a potential deal, while a report on Tuesday insisted that a €70m deal was now in the final stages.

Hawkins is less positive than that. According to them, Aston Villa are still in negotiations with Chelsea over a deal for the striker. But while they are out in front, thanks to Emery, Atlético Madrid are still in the picture as well.

Emery relationship

The Emery point is interesting given the two did not have a particularly long, or fruitful relationship together at Villarreal.

Jackson managed 27 appearances under the Spanish coach at the Estadio de la Cerámica. That saw him score three goals and register three assists. But it seems the 25-year-old made a big impression on the Aston Villa coach despite that.

Now Emery is pushing to try and get a deal done. That’s presumably as Ollie Watkins continues to try and seal his exit. He wants to head Saudi Arabia before the end of the transfer window and it’s likely Jackson is his replacement.

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