Chelsea ‘in talks’ with representatives of £30m Villarreal star as Victor Osimhen alternative | OneFootball

Chelsea are reportedly in talks with the representatives of Villarreal forward Nicolas Jackson over a move to Stamford Bridge this summer.

The Blues are on the lookout for a goalscorer to add to Mauricio Pochettino’s squad after they scored just 38 Premier League goals last term, with Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang proving a huge disappointment after his deadline day move from Barcelona.

Aubameyang looks set to be on his way with a number of other Chelsea players, and amid links with some of the best strikers in European football, all of whom would cost a pretty penny, the Evening Standard claim the Blues are looking at a cheaper option in Jackson.

The 21-year-old caught the eye at the end of last season for Villarreal, scoring nine goals in eight La Liga games having been promoted from the Spanish side’s youth setup last summer.

It’s claimed he would be available for just £30m, while supposed top target Victor Osimhen would cost over £100m and alternatives Rasmus Hojlund and Dusan Vlahovic are valued at around £65m by their Italian clubs.

Chelsea spent over £600m in the first season under the ownership of Todd Boehly and Clearlake and will need to operate with some caution this summer as they are thought to be on a UEFA watchlist over their finances having already agreed to pay £50m to sign Christopher Nkunku from RB Leipzig.

A goalkeeper is also thought to be high on their agenda and after AC Milan star Mike Maignan ruled himself out of a move to Stamford Bridge reports suggest they’re in talks with Brighton over a move for Robert Sanchez.

Discussions with the Seagulls won’t be limited to the Spaniard, with Moises Caicedo also high on their agenda.

Arsenal have also been linked with the Ecuador international, but as Gianluca Di Marzio explains, the Gunners’ seemingly imminent signing of Declan Rice will leave Chelsea and Bayern Munich as frontrunners for Caicedo.

Di Marzio said: “Declan Rice and Moises Caicedo will have a domino effect.”

“If Rice goes to Arsenal, Caicedo goes to Chelsea or Bayern.”

“These three clubs [Bayern, Arsenal and Chelsea] apply for Declan Rice and Moises Caidedo. Caicedo will definitely leave Brighton.”