According to Fabrizio Romano, Chelsea have now “reached a full agreement” with La Liga side Villarreal over Nicolas Jackson’s move to Stamford Bridge.
Ex-Spurs boss Mauricio Pochettino has become Chelsea’s new head coach ahead of next season and his priority this summer was always going to be to sign a new striker or two.
This is after Chelsea only managed to score 38 goals in 38 Premier League games during the 2022/23 campaign.
Kai Havertz was often used as a makeshift striker last season and he needs to be replaced as it looks increasingly likely that he will sign for rivals Arsenal.
Villarreal forward Jackson has emerged as a potential target over the past week. He grabbed 13 goals and five assists in 38 appearances for the Spanish side last season across all competitions.
Jackson has also been linked with Liverpool in recent days but Romano has now revealed that a “full agreement” has been reached over the player’s move to Chelsea.
He adds: “Understand Villarreal accepted Chelsea to pay just bit more than €35m [£30] release clause but better payment terms using instalments. Medical being scheduled, personal terms agreed.”
A report from The Evening Standard claims ‘Chelsea will pay £30million to sign Jackson from Villarreal with final talks ongoing over the exact structure of the deal’. They explain.
‘The 21-year-old will join for a fee almost identical to his release clause with just the payment method being discussed.
‘Jackson began talks with Chelsea last week, as first revealed by Standard Sport, and has since fully agreed personal terms.
‘Jackson has been on holiday in Portugal and Ibiza ahead of the transfer but is soon expected in London to complete his medical.
‘Chelsea were alerted to Jackson as a potential option after seeing him score nine goals in his last eight LaLiga matches. They have moved quickly to secure his services from under the noses of rivals Aston Villa and AC Milan.’
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Jackson will be an important signing for Chelsea but they are also looking to sign a new centre-midfielder.
Brighton’s Moises Caicedo is understood to be their top target and The Evening Standard claim Chelsea are ‘making good progress in negotiations’ with their Premier League rivals.
The Ecuador international is ‘keen on the move’ and he is already ‘ready to accept personal terms’.
Talks over a fee are proving to be more difficult, though. Chelsea have already had a £60m offer rejected and Brighton are ‘demanding closer to £100m as discussions continue’.
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