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Southampton now interested in Nicolas Jackson
Southampton are now interested in signing Villarreal attacker Nicolas Jackson, according to a new report.
The Lowdown: Jackson’s Premier League interest
As per previous reports, Aston Villa manager Unai Emery is keen to reunite with Jackson, who he managed during his stint as Villarreal boss, with the Spaniard instructing the club’s hierarchy to move quickly to sign the attacking-midfielder.
The Daily Mail then reported that Everton, Bournemouth and Newcastle are also interested in the 21-year-old. They claim he has a £27m buy-out clause but he could be available for less than that figure.
The Latest: Southampton join the race
As per Sky Sports News, the Saints are now eyeing the Senegal international, and they confirm there is quite the race taking place as three other clubs are indeed interested.
“One source has told us that Villarreal want at least £20m”, says Sky’s presenter, so it would still be quite a large outlay for Nathan Jones.
The Verdict: A risk?
Even though they currently sit bottom of the Premier League table, crafting opportunities has not been the major issue for Southampton this season, with 25 big chances created placing them in the top half in this area.
As such, it is apparent that Jones needs a new, more clinical striker in the squad, and this may not be possible if they spend north of £20m on Jackson, who is clearly a promising player, with four goal contributions to his name in La Liga this season, but isn’t what they need at present.
Lauded as having ‘bags of potential’ by journalist Ashley Preece, the starlet is one for the future, but he is a versatile forward capable of playing on either wing, up front or as the number ten, rather than a proven clinical number nine.
