BREAKING ✅: “Farewell to Wasteful Nicholas Jackson, Thanks to Todd Boehly” Celebrations Erupt at Stamford Bridge as Chelsea Finalize £65M Deal for “PROVEN GOALSCORER”
According to a report by Football Insider, Chelsea are poised to approach Aston Villa in their search for a new center-forward, as the new manager is keen to sign Ollie Watkins.
Despite Nicolas Jackson scoring several goals last season, he hasn’t proven capable of leading the attack, prompting Chelsea to seek a new striker to fill that role.
The Blues are aware of the challenge in convincing Aston Villa to part with a player like Ollie Watkins. Therefore, they are willing to offer Conor Gallagher in a swap deal. Gallagher has previously been linked with Villa, and Chelsea believes Unai Emery might still be interested in the midfielder.
Do Chelsea Need Ollie Watkins?
Although Jackson scored 14 goals in the Premier League last season, he has received more criticism than praise. Without a new striker, Chelsea will struggle to compete with other top clubs.
Chelsea has been linked with players like Ivan Toney and Victor Osimhen, but Enzo Maresca appears to favor someone experienced in the English top division.
Ollie Watkins, who joined Villa from Brentford for €34 million, has scored 70 goals and provided 26 assists in 169 games over four years. Last season, he contributed to 32 goals in 37 league games under Unai Emery, making him a strong fit for Chelsea’s first team.
In the last campaign, Watkins had an xG of 16.88 from 47 shots on target and created 45 chances.
Watkins is a prolific goal-scorer, comparable to Osimhen or Toney, and Maresca would likely want him as the primary center-forward, with Jackson as a backup.
### Will Aston Villa Agree to Trade the 28-Year-Old for Conor Gallagher?
Unai Emery would appreciate having Conor Gallagher, but with Aston Villa competing in the Champions League next season, losing a key player like Ollie Watkins seems unlikely.
Watkins is Villa’s top goal contributor, and replacing him would require significant time and money. Additionally, Watkins is valued at €65 million, while Gallagher is valued at €50 million, making a straight swap unlikely.
With Watkins’ contract expiring in 2028, Villa would likely demand at least €100 million for their star forward. Chelsea would need to offer Gallagher plus €40-50 million to secure Watkins.
Even then, Villa’s management might not agree to sell such an important player, especially with the Champions League approaching and limited time to find a replacement.
Fabrizio Romano has reported that Aston Villa has agreed to sign Amadou Onana, reducing Emery’s need to sign Gallagher and making a swap deal virtually impossible.