Atletico Madrid's Marcos Llorente in action with Villarreal's Nicolas Jackson
Journalist Pete O’Rourke believes that Aston Villa could hold an advantage in the race to sign Villarreal forward Nicolas Jackson.
The Lowdown: Jackson rumours
Reports have suggested in recent days that new Villa boss Unai Emery has ‘instructed his new club to move quickly and try to sign’ Jackson.
The Villans aren’t the only Premier League club to be linked with a move, though, with Everton and Newcastle also name-checked as possible suitors.
The 21-year-old’s current contract with the La Liga side is set to expire next summer, and O’Rourke has been having his say on a potential switch to Villa Park.
The Latest: O’Rourke’s comments
Talking to The Transfer Tavern, O’Rourke was asked if Emery’s arrival could give Villa an advantage in the race to sign Jackson, with the journalist believing that could well be the case.
He stated: “Yeah, I think so, it’s the obvious link. It happens all the time in football when a manager comes into a new job, he likes to be reunited with players that he’s worked with before. He knows he can trust them, he knows what they can offer, so that’s why this Nicolas Jackson link has come about.”
The Verdict: Pre-contract agreement?
Should Jackson’s contract situation remain the same, Villa will have the chance to discuss a possible pre-contract agreement with the forward ahead of a free transfer next summer.
That could be something which may appeal to all involved, or Emery may even want NSWE to seal an immediate January transfer.
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The 21-year-old appears to be a key target for the new Villa boss, and we agree with O’Rourke in believing that Emery’s arrival in the Midlands could give the Villans a better chance of sealing a deal for him.
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