(Credit: Imago)
(Credit: Imago)
Transfers

Aston Villa make approach for another outcasted Chelsea star, deal could go down to wire

Daniel Lewis
Daniel Lewis

Assistant Editor AUTHORITY Senior editor and writer responsible for daily news flow, editorial standards, and active contribution across the site network. FOCUS Editorial oversight, newsroom workflow, verified reporting, and original content. THE BRIEF Former Sports Mole correspondent Daniel manages the network’s daily output, working between reporters and experts to ensure accuracy and speed. As a senior contributor, he also writes and publishes original content across the network.

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Aston Villa are set to be active in the final week of the summer transfer window after making a slow start to their Premier League campaign.

Villa were beaten 1-0 by Brentford on Saturday, having played out an uninspiring 0-0 draw with Newcastle United in their opening match.

Unai Emery has seen plenty of players leave Villa Park this summer, with Jacob Ramsey most recently joining Newcastle.

A new forward is undoubtedly on the radar at Villa Park, with Nicolas Jackson being strongly linked with a move to Villa.

However, it may well be that another Chelsea outcast ends up joining Villa instead amid an interesting new transfer update.

Unai Emery looks on in agitation.
Emery will not be pleased with Villa's start to the Premier League season (Credit: Imago)

Aston Villa informed of conditions to sign Christopher Nkunku from Chelsea

Gabby Agbonlahor is among those associated with the West Midlands club who's not fully convinced Jackson is the answer for Villa.

While Jackson does remain on the Villans' radar, as does Marco Asensio after his successful loan spell at Villa Park, it has now emerged that Christopher Nkunku is also being targeted.

Indeed, Fabrizio Romano reported via X on Saturday that Villa have already made contact for Nkunku, with Emery's side being informed of the conditions to conclude a deal.

Bayern Munich and RB Leipzig are also said to hold an interest in the France international, who has been shut out by Enzo Maresca at Stamford Bridge.

Any deal for the 27-year-old will go down to the wire, with the transfer window closing on 1 September.

Maresca this week reiterated that Nkunku and Jackson are not part of his Chelsea plans going forward, with the pair not part of the squad to face West Ham on Friday.

Unai Emery previously worked with Christopher Nkunku at PSG

Nkunku has not lived up to expectations since joining Chelsea from Leipzig for a reported £53million in June 2023.

  • Nkunku joined Chelsea from RB Leipzig for a reported £35m in June 2023
  • The Frenchman has made 38 Premier League appearances for the Blues
  • Nkunku has six goals and two assists across those appearances

Prior to his spell in Germany, Nkunku came through the ranks at Paris Saint-Germain and previously played under Emery.

Emery gave a glowing reference of Nkunku in 2018, hailing him as a "good player" who he fully trusted to fill the void left by the injured Adrien Rabiot.

And the fact the Spaniard already knows Nkunku could well play into Villa's hands as the days tick down towards the end of the summer transfer window.

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Unai Emery
Nicolas Jackson
Christopher Nkunku
www.astonvillanews.co.uk