Bayern Decide Not To Buy Nicolas Jackson For £56m And Chelsea Put Him Back On The Market For £65m

Aston Villa are expected to make an approach for Nicolas Jackson if Ollie Watkins leaves for Al-Hilal, with Chelsea valuing the striker at £65million.

Villa are considering Jackson as a potential replacement for Watkins, who is the subject of continuing interest from Saudi Arabia. Al-Hilal have already had an offer of around £38.5million rejected, while Unai Emery has acknowledged that the England striker could leave if an agreement suits both the player and the club.

Jackson would at least arrive with a manager who already knows him. Emery worked with the Senegal international at Villarreal before Chelsea signed him in 2023 and remains an admirer of the forward.

Chelsea’s valuation represents the latest stage of a slightly unusual year for Jackson.

He spent last season on loan at Bayern Munich in a deal which could have become permanent for €65million, around £56.2million, if appearance conditions were met. Those conditions were not triggered and Bayern sporting director Max Eberl confirmed in April that the German champions would not exercise their option to keep him.

Jackson eventually finished his season in Germany with 11 goals in 34 competitive appearances before returning to Chelsea.

Three months after Bayern decided against paying approximately £56million for him, Chelsea are now looking for around £65million.

There is no suggestion that Villa have agreed to pay that amount. Their interest is also dependent on what happens with Watkins, while Chelsea would prefer a permanent sale and Atlético Madrid have explored a loan move.

The market has therefore had another opportunity to assess Nicolas Jackson since Bayern made their decision.

Chelsea’s assessment has gone up by roughly £9million.