Chelsea agree deal to sign Villarreal forward
Chelsea have reached an agreement with Villarreal to sign Nicolas Jackson and are now preparing a bid for another target wanted by Mauricio Pochettino.
Chelsea have spent more than £600m on transfers over the past 12 months and the spending shows no sign of slowing down as Pochettino looks to bring in players ahead of his arrival next month.
The Blues made Ecuadorian teenager Kendry Paez their first signing of the summer and have now secured a deal for Senegal forward Jackson.
Chelsea are also set to welcome Christopher Nkunku and Malo Gusto to Stamford Bridge this summer, with both deals agreed earlier in the year.
Jackson, 22, scored 12 goals in 26 league appearances for Villarreal last season and made his international debut last November.
The Senegalese star will bolster the attacking options of a Chelsea side that badly struggled for goals last term and finished just 12th in the Premier League.
Chelsea relied on Kai Havertz up top for much of the campaign but he lacks a striker’s instinct and is set to leave Stamford Bridge in a £65m move to Arsenal.
Romelu Lukaku is technically still a Chelsea player but neither the Belgian or the club’s hierarchy want the association to continue next season.
Chelsea are also set to release former Gunners captain Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang following a dismal spell in west London. The 34-year-old scored just three goals in 21 matches following a deadline-day move from Barcelona.
Having agreed to meet Jackson’s €35m release clause, Chelsea are now scheduling the forward’s medical, according to Fabrizio Romano.
Meanwhile, Chelsea are also planning to strengthen the team’s midfield following the exits of N’Golo Kante and Mateo Kovacic and will submit an offer for Brighton star Moises Caicedo.
The Blues are the frontunners to sign Caicedo after Arsenal pulled out of the race but Brighton value the 21-year-old at around £100, though Chelsea believe they can get the price down to £80m.
Kante left Chelsea earlier in the week to secure a lucrative move to Saudi Arabia, while Kovacic is closing in on a £30m move to Premier League champions Manchester City.
All of these comings and goings are happening a week before Pochettino officially takes over at Chelsea. The Argentine signed a two-year contract with the Premier League club in May.
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