According to reports, Chelsea have ‘agreed personal terms’ with Villarreal striker Nicolas Jackson and the player is ‘committed’ to joining the Blues.
One of Chelsea’s main issues during the 2022/23 campaign was their lack of end product in front of goal.
They endured a torrid season as they ended up finishing 12th in the Premier League and they only scored 38 league goals in the process.
Ex-Spurs boss Mauricio Pochettino has been confirmed as Chelsea’s new manager ahead of next season and one of his priorities was always going to be to sign one or two new strikers.
Earlier this week, it was reported that Chelsea are ‘in talks’ with Jackson’s representatives over a summer move to Stamford Bridge.
The 21-year-old grabbed 13 goals and five assists in his 38 appearances for Villarreal across all competitions in 2022/23. He is under contract until 2026 and there is a €35m release clause in his current deal.
The Athletic’s David Ornstein is reporting that ‘Chelsea have agreed personal terms with Villarreal forward Jackson’.
The attacker has ‘committed’ to Chelsea and they ‘intend to negotiate with the La Liga club to complete the deal and bring the Senegal international to Stamford Bridge this summer’.
The report also points out that ‘Chelsea also saw a £60m offer for Brighton and Hove Albion midfielder Moises Caicedo rejected two weeks ago’.
The Ecuador international has emerged as one of Chelsea’s main midfield targets and they are looking to beat Arsenal in the race to sign him.
Ornstein claims ‘Pochettino’s side admire Caicedo but they intend to be disciplined with their valuation’.
He adds: ‘They are studying multiple alternatives to Caicedo, 21, including Southampton’s Romeo Lavia, Borussia Monchengladbach’s Manu Kone, AC Milan’s Sandro Tonali, and Inter Milan’s Nicolo Barella’.
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Italian journalist Gianluca Di Marzio thinks Caicedo and West Ham’s Declan Rice “will have a domino effect” this summer, with German giants Bayern Munich in the mix.
Di Marzio said: “Declan Rice and Moises Caicedo will have a domino effect.”
“If Rice goes to Arsenal, Caicedo goes to Chelsea or Bayern.
“These three clubs [Bayern, Arsenal and Chelsea] apply for Declan Rice and Moises Caidedo. Caicedo will definitely leave Brighton.”
Di Marzio added: “If Caicedo goes to Chelsea, Bayern can get Sofyan Amrabat.”
“These are, I think, the three midfielders (Rice, Caicedo, Amrabat) who are eligible in the international transfer market for top clubs.”
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