Aston Villa has officially signed Nicolas Jackson in a transfer worth up to £65m from Chelsea. The 25-year-old forward becomes the club's record signing, surpassing Johan Manzambi under manager Unai Emery.
This arrival coincides with the expected departure of Ollie Watkins after six successful years. The 30-year-old striker scored 108 goals in 278 games and is closing in on a move to Al-Hilal.
Jackson spent last season on loan at Bayern Munich, where statistics showed he generated higher expected-goals and more shots per 90 minutes than Watkins did during the same period.
Although Jackson provides superior movement and box touches, his finishing has occasionally faced scrutiny following his spells in the Premier League. However, his overall playing profile involves significantly more passing and build-up contribution.
Emery's squad has undergone a major overhaul this summer following several key departures. The addition of a specialist striker like Jackson aims to stabilize the team after a difficult start to the season.
