Neither Arnaut Danjuma nor Nicolas Jackson has asked to leave Villarreal this month amid reported interest from Premier League trio Everton, Southampton and Aston Villa, the La Liga club’s CEO Fernando Roig Negueroles tells AS.
With what feels like every team in England’s top-flight chasing attacking additions during the winter window, Villarreal were always likely to be at the forefront of discussions; some of the brightest forward talent in Spanish football plying their trade in yellow.
Alex Baena, Yeremy Pino, Arnaut Danjuma and Nicolas Jackson have, at one point or another, all been linked with big-money departures since the summer.
Southampton want 20-year-old Senegal international Jackson on an initial loan deal, according to The Athletic and Tuttomercatoweb. Everton are hoping to strike a similar deal for Danjuma, though the cash-strapped Toffees may face competition from Aston Villa and newly-ambitious former employers Bournemouth.
Danjuma scored 16 goals under Aston Villa boss Unai Emery during an excellent debut season at Villarreal in 2021/22.
But while Danjuma has been open about his interest in sealing a return to the Premier League – he has unfinished business following Bournemouth’s 2020 relegation – Villarreal’s CEO insists that neither the Dutchman nor fellow attacker Jackson is pushing for an exit as things stand.
Villarreal’s Arnaut Danjuma and Nicolas Jackson in demand
“Right now, we do not have a formal offer. It is true that there are rumours and there is interest. But I think that the market is beginning to move now, and we will see how it evolves. I don’t know what will happen in the next few weeks,” says Roig Negueroles.
“No player has asked me to leave the club. I think that everyone is comfortable here. The truth is if (if a departure) ever happens, it’s always because it can secure more money for the club. Or (so the player can) go to a more important club.”
Danjuma has a £45 million release clause, while Jackson’s stands at £27 million. It is likely that Everton and Southampton would prefer to strike lower deals. Particularly the Toffees; their purse-strings tightly-drawn following years of heavy and ill-thought-out investment.
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