Aston Villa want Nicolas Jackson and it’s now suggested that Newcastle United aren’t quite as heavily interested as Unai Emery’s men.
Villa made the decision to sack Steven Gerrard last month and quickly replaced him with Unai Emery.
Emery decided to leave Villarreal for another shot at Premier League management having previously been in charge of Arsenal.
Emery will surely be backed with a number of signings in 2023 and it’s only natural that he is being linked with some Villarreal players.
Aston Villa want Nicolas Jackson
Managers tend to target players from their former clubs when they take a new job.
Pau Torres, Yeremy Pino and Samuel Chukwueze are just some of the Villarreal names linked with joining Emery at Villa.
Yet the strongest rumour so far has been with Villarreal forward Nicolas Jackson.
Mundo Deportivo reported last month that Emery is telling Villa to make a move for Jackson ‘quickly’ before Barcelona sign him.
Both clubs are interested in Jackson, who has been named in Senegal’s World Cup squad.
Not long after Villa’s interest was reported, the Daily Mail stated that Newcastle United were also interested in Jackson.
Jackson’s versatility to play across the front line is seemingly attracting major interest and at just 21, he has huge potential.
Yet it now seems like Villa is a more likely destination for Jackson than Newcastle.
Transfer insider Dean Jones has told Give Me Sport that his information suggests Newcastle aren’t really actively pursuing Jackson right now.
Newcastle splashed out for a new attacker in August as Alexander Isak arrived from Real Sociedad and they may not prioritise Jackson.
Jones therefore thinks that, if Villa want him, then they would have the edge especially with Jackson’s former boss Emery at the club.
With Jackson in action at the World Cup, maybe Villa will have one eye on Senegal as they consider making their January move for the Villarreal ace.
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