On Wednesday, Cadena Ser stated Villarreal’s Nicolas Jackson is aware that Southampton are interested in signing him and his entourage are optimistic a deal can be carried out in the winter market.
AS on Thursday have a report on the 21-year-old, which states he is ‘close to Southampton’.
The Senegal international joined the La Liga side’s academy in 2019 and was promoted to their first team a year later. He impressed in the first half of this season and also for his country at the World Cup.
A few days ago, the Saints showed interest in securing the striker’s signature in January. Their idea was to sign him on a loan deal until the end of this season and then negotiate with the La Liga side to buy him next summer, if they were to avoid relegation.
The Yellow Submarine, however, demanded a higher loan fee and also wanted to include a mandatory purchase option.
This made Southampton change their plan and decide to buy the player for €20m in the current window.
It’s explained Villarreal are now ‘close to certifying’ Jackson’s transfer to the Premier League side.
