Chelsea are willing to pay £30m for Villarreal striker Nicholas Jackson.

Nicolas Jackson has scored nine goals in his last eight La Liga games for Villarreal. Photo: Getty Images/Aitor Alcalde

Chelsea are preparing to pay around £30m to secure the signing of Villarreal striker Nicholas Jackson and the deal is moving fast.

Villarreal don't want to sell Jackson, who scored 12 goals in La Liga in 2022-23, but Chelsea are ready to activate the 21-year-old's release clause.

Talks are under way between the two clubs on the fee structure and finer details of the transfer, but it is now expected that the striker will go to Stamford Bridge.

The move could even be completed next few days after Jackson played his final game of the season for Senegal against Brazil on Tuesday.

Jackson is expected to sign a long-term contract similar to those signed with previous young players since then. takeover of Todd Boehly-Clearlake Capital.

Jackson joined Villarreal from Senegal in 2019 and can play both as a centre-forward and on the wings. He ended the season in sensational form, scoring nine goals in the last eight games of the club's campaign.

In January, the striker nearly signed for Bournemouth for around £25m before suffering a hamstring injury. prevented him from taking that step.

Chelsea have moved quickly in recent weeks to take first place in the lineup to sign Jackson, with Bundesliga and Serie A clubs showing interest in the player as well.

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If a deal goes through, Jackson's arrival at Chelsea could hasten the expected departure of Kai Havertz.

Chelsea have turned down a starting bid from Arsenal, who are keen to sign the German, but it's clear they ready to sell the 24-year-old for the right price.

Chelsea value Havertz at £70m but he may have to lower that asking price for a player with two years left. on his contract. Sources in Germany say that Bayern Munich can still compete with Arsenal for the signing of Havertz.