Aston Villa Rival Newcastle United For £60million Striker With Payment Structure Plan

Aston Villa are plotting an ambitious striker swoop to knock Newcastle off their target.

Manager Unai Emery wants a new frontman to add a fresh dimension to his forward line.

The Spaniard already has the talented Ollie Watkins but is now seeking a different type of player to complement the England international and has identified Jackson as being a strong fit.

Watkins, meanwhile, has been told he will not be sold to accommodate any new recruit coming through the door and that they would be there to help lighten his load, not replace.

Aston Villa want Nicolas Jackson transfer from Chelsea

The Telegraph claim Emery is a big fan of the 24-year-old having worked with him previously at Villarreal where he gave Jackson his big break back in the day.

Jackson is a fan of the coach, too, and could be convinced to make the switch to Villa Park simply through a desire to work with his former gaffer again.

It has been claimed in the same publication that Chelsea value Jackson at around £60million and due to Financial Fair Play and other restrictions, the Villans may be priced out.

However the report suggests the club are still willing to negotiate with the Blues in an attempt to potentially come up with a payment structure plan that would help circumvent any possible obstacle.

Chelsea do not want to sanction a loan for Jackson and it would be a permanent transfer Enzo Maresca and his side are determined to organise. So a loan with an obligation might still be doable.

Newcastle stance on Alexander Isak despite Jackson interest

Yet if the hitman opts to move to Villa given half the chance, it would leave Newcastle and Eddie Howe struggling given how much Newcastle United want Senegalese man Jackson.

The Magpies are in the middle of a transfer saga involving Alexander Isak with the Swede determined to force a move away from St James’ Park.

Newcastle told Isak he was going nowhere, though, and even if they brought in Jackson it is unlikely that situation would change from a Geordie point of view.

The club are holding out for upwards of £150m for Isak and Liverpool, the striker’s main suitors, have as yet only put an offer on the table of closer to £110m.

And that leaves the two clubs still significantly apart in terms of valuation for the 25-year-old.

Chelsea, meanwhile, are looking to ship Jackson out as well as Christopher Nkunku in order to facilitate the signings of Manchester United star Alejandro Garnacho and Xavi Simons of PSG.