Revealed: Aston Villa pursuit of Nicolas Jackson would 'immediately trigger' Chelsea transfer counter offer for attacking midfielder Morgan Rogers

Chelsea have reportedly been considering selling Jackson for weeks now, with the striker linked with Unai Emery's Villa, having worked with the Spanish tactician at Villarreal. Now, Telegraph journalist Matt Law claims that if the Villans did make a move for the Senegal international, Chelsea would immediately lodge a counter offer for Villa Park star Rogers - who is likely to cost well over £50 million ($67m).

He said on the London is Blue podcast: "I'm not told by anyone at Chelsea but I'm told by people on the outside that if Villa do go for Nicolas Jackson, it will immediately trigger a bid for Morgan Rogers from Chelsea. Obviously, Unai [Emery] has worked with him and kind of promoted Nicolas Jackson in many ways, didn't want to sign another striker. The only way I see Villa going for Jackson is if Ollie Watkins goes, because I just don't, with us [Villa] not in the Champions League next season, see a scenario where we carry Jackson along with Watkins."

Chelsea have signed forwards Liam Delap and Joao Pedro this summer, leading to speculation that Jackson could be sold after a disappointing end to last season. The 24-year-old worked with Emery at Villarreal in the past but as Law points out, a Champions League-less Villa may not be able to convince him to join them this term. Either way, he may struggle for game time at Stamford Bridge in 2024-25.

Jackson, who has been linked with a move to Manchester United, will head off on an abridged summer break following Chelsea's Club World Cup triumph last weekend. It remains to be seen if he will line up for the Blues next season.