Chelsea want to sell Nicolas Jackson, while Aston Villa’s Ollie Watkins is also being monitored, but fans may be wary of another forward from Stamford Bridge.
The fallout from Kai Havertz’s knee injury has inevitably placed emphasis on Arsenal’s search for attacking reinforcements, but reports that Nicolas Jackson is being considered have done little to stir excitement among supporters weary of recycled Chelsea cast-offs.
According to Teamtalk, Arsenal have ‘identified’ Jackson as a possible solution after Havertz’s setback, with Aston Villa’s Ollie Watkins the other name on the list.
Chelsea are prepared to sell their Senegalese striker for around £60m, having already moved to bring in Liam Delap and João Pedro.
Newcastle United are also credited with interest.
Jackson joined Chelsea from Villarreal in 2023, arriving on the back of an impressive stint under Unai Emery in La Liga.
His first two seasons at Stamford Bridge, however, have been a study in inconsistency. While he has returned 30 goals and 12 assists in 81 appearances across all competitions, his profligacy in front of goal and tendency to miss clear chances have often defined his time in west London more than his contributions.
The forward was trusted as a regular starter in his debut campaign, but the arrival of further competition this summer has underlined how expendable he has become.
Manager Enzo Maresca has been candid in admitting that both Jackson and Christopher Nkunku could leave, describing it as “better” if they did.
“We’ll see,” Maresca said when asked about the two forwards. “If they are going to be here, they will be with us. If not, it means they found a solution. I think it’s better if they find a solution because they are going to be more happy.”
Asked specifically about Jackson, Maresca said, “He is available but he is not going to be part of the squad. We have two strikers, two in that position and also something can happen before the transfer window closes.”
Chelsea’s strategy of inflating values on players they no longer require remains at the heart of this saga.
They bought Jackson for around £30m, yet now demand double that sum, a valuation that may put off buyers outside the Premier League when you consider Jackson is only really ‘worth’ around £45m.
Arsenal fans, meanwhile, know too well the risk of inheriting Chelsea’s unwanted players.
Watkins, by contrast, would represent a far safer option in terms of proven Premier League output, though Villa’s reluctance to sell means prising him away would require a bid well above £60m.
For Arsenal, the decision is clear. Pursue another Chelsea striker who has flattered to deceive, or test Villa’s resolve for a forward whose numbers are far harder to question.
Either way, it is telling that the search for reinforcements has once again drifted towards Stamford Bridge, a pattern that has had mixed results in recent memory.