Soccer Football - Premier League - Chelsea v Manchester United - Stamford Bridge, London, Britain - April 4, 2024 Manchester United's Alejandro Garnacho in action with Chelsea's Nicolas Jackson Action Images via Reuters/Matthew Childs NO USE WITH UNAUTHORIZED AUDIO, VIDEO, DATA, FIXTURE LISTS, CLUB/LEAGUE LOGOS OR 'LIVE' SERVICES. ONLINE IN-MATCH USE LIMITED TO 45 IMAGES, NO VIDEO EMULATION. NO USE IN BETTING, GAMES OR SINGLE CLUB/LEAGUE/PLAYER PUBLICATIONS.
Aston Villa are keeping tabs on both Nicolas Jackson and Alejandro Garnacho. The two forwards find themselves surplus to requirements at Chelsea and United respectively and are expected move this summer.
Talk Sport has reported that Villa manager Unai Emery is keen to reunite with his former player Jackson, with the two having worked together at Villarreal. It was Emery that gave the then 20 year old Jackson his LaLiga debut in 2021.
Jackson scored three goals in 27 appearances under Emery. The player’s future at Stamford Bridge grows more uncertain with each passing day, as Chelsea have already signed two new strikers this summer.
Both Liam Delap and Joao Pedro have joined Chelsea and played key roles in their Club World Cup triumph. The latter in particular has impressed greatly in his short time at the club, scoring a brace on his debut and then once more in the final.
Jackson meanwhile started Chelsea’s first game of the tournament, but never again and only managed 30 minutes throughout the knockout stage.
His time at the club has been marred with inconsistency, with each glimpse of promise seemingly followed by moments of madness. High profile misses coupled with disciplinary issues have seen Jackson’s future called into question.
He has attracted interest from several clubs across Europe and in the Premier League, with Manchester United also reportedly weighing up a move.
Villa eyeing Garnacho, Jackson
Villa’s pursuit of Garnacho was fueled even further earlier this summer when the player posted a picture on social media of himself wearing a Villa shirt with Marcus Rashford’s name on it.
The 21-year-old has been told by Ruben Amorim to find a new club following the player’s public criticism of United’s season and of his playing time in the Europa League final. He is understood to be actively pursuing a move away and has formally asked to leave the club.
He has a reported value of around £60m and is not short on suitors with Italian clubs Napoli and Juventus known admirers. The Argentina international scored 11 goals and added 10 assists in 58 appearances across all competitions last season.
Villa are in need of attacking reinforcements but have had to spent frugally to comply with PSR rules. They signed Marcus Rashford and Marco Asensio on loan in January but opted against making either of them permanent.
Their only recent significant attacking signing has been Donyell Malen, who they signed for £21m from Borussia Dortmund in January.
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