Aston Villa have opened talks to sign both Alejandro Garnacho and Nicolas Jackson as they prepare for Morgan Rogers’ departure to Chelsea.
Villa have signed João Gomes for £38m as they look to use the Rogers funds to provide Unai Emery with the depth to compete in four competitions.
The Blues agreed a £117m deal for Rogers over the weekend, who is set to undergo a medical on Monday before completing a move to Stamford Bridge, and it will also be important for the manager to strengthen his attacking options this summer.
As such, the interest in Jackson makes a lot of sense, with Emery known to be a big fan of the former Villarreal man, and he managed to put in some eye-catching performances on loan at Bayern Munich last season.
Understandably, the Senegalese striker remained behind Ballon d’Or contender Harry Kane in the pecking order for large parts of the campaign, but he still managed to score 11 goals in 34 matches across all competitions, while also providing four assists.
However, it has been widely reported that Chelsea are willing to sanction a permanent departure for €70m (£60m) this summer, potentially opening the door for a move to Villa, who are set to raise significant funds from selling Rogers.
Xabi Alonso has confirmed Garnacho is also attracting interest this summer, after just one season with the Blues, in which he was limited to 1,268 minutes of game time across 24 Premier League appearances, picking up one goal and four assists.
Aston Villa open talks to sign Alejandro Garnacho and Nicolas Jackson
According to a report from TEAMtalk, Aston Villa are now plotting a double raid on Chelsea, having opened negotiations to sign Garnacho and Jackson, and the latter player is open to a move to Villa Park.
The Villans are also confident ‘a deal can be explored’ for the Senegal international, who worked under Emery at Villarreal, and the Spaniard remains a massive fan.
Who would be the better signing for Aston Villa?
Alejandro Garnacho
Nicolas Jackson
Has been lauded as “sensational” by BBC Sport’s Alex Turk
Amassed more goal involvements last season
More recent experience playing in the Premier League
Could be a long-term Ollie Watkins replacement
Over three years younger than Jackson, at 22-years-old.
More experienced, winning four major honours
More suited to replacing Rogers, as he can play on the left or in attacking midfield
Scored more Champions League goals
Could be cheaper, as Chelsea may be willing to sell for £43m
Emery knows him well
Aston Villa also pursuing Alejandro Garnacho alternative
Garnacho and Jackson aren’t the only forwards Villa have their eyes on though, as they have been pushing to sign West Ham United star Crysencio Summerville, who has also been attracting interest from AS Roma.
It is believed West Ham could demand £50m for the Netherlands international, off the back of his impressive performances at the World Cup, picking up two goals and two assists in four matches, before his side were knocked out on penalties by Morocco in the round of 32.
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