Aston Villa Give Liverpool Massive Boost in Alexander Isak Transfer Saga

Aston Villa reportedly want to sign Nicolas Jackson, thus opening the door for Ollie Watkins’ potential exit and handing Liverpool a big boost in the Alexander Isak transfer saga.

Liverpool have been chasing Newcastle United star Isak for the better part of the summer transfer window.

The Magpies are reluctant to sell Isak without signing a back-up first.

Newcastle United Linked With Ollie Watkins

Alexander Isak has publicly expressed his desire to leave the club and is 6/5 to join Liverpool with football betting sites.  supposedly to join Liverpool. While Newcastle admittedly want to keep him, they could sell if the Reds improve their offer and a competent back-up becomes available.

Still don’t understand why Newcastle are not going for Watkins.

— No'Mo Foolin' 🍋 (@llemurn) August 13, 2025

Ollie Watkins has been one of the many strikers linked with a move to Newcastle United this season. At the start of the summer transfer window, the Magpies had reportedly registered their interest in Watkins. Villa, however, had no intention of selling their 29-year-old talisman at the time.

Aston Villa Gives Liverpool Boost in Isak Transfer Saga

According to transfer news expert Fabrizio Romano, situation has changed in recent hours, opening the door to a transfer roulette.

Aston Villa are pushing to sign Nicolas Jackson from Chelsea, at the request of coach Unai Emery. Emery managed Jackson at Villarreal and the pair share an excellent relationship. Aston Villa and Chelsea are reportedly in talks over the structure of the deal.

🚨🟣🔵 Aston Villa are pushing for Nico Jackson as top target wanted by Unai Emery.

Emery was Jackson’s coach at Villarreal and relationship is excellent, with talks ongoing over formula/structure of the deal.#AVFC also aware of competitions with several top clubs keen. pic.twitter.com/PfDnuXI8ct

— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) August 21, 2025

Newcastle have also been linked with Jackson, but they are ready to cool off their interest to potentially get a shot at signing Ollie Watkins. If Villa land Jackson, Watkins could be available for purchase, allowing Newcastle to enter the race for him. The Toons could have to pay around £50 million for the forward.

With a solid replacement for Alexander Isak in sight for Newcastle United, Liverpool are likely to get a massive boost in their race for the Swede. If the Reds table an offer in the region of £120–150 million for Isak, they could fancy their chances of signing him.

Nicolas Jackson and Ollie Watkins Next Club Odds

Nicolas Jackson

UK bookmakers believe Aston Villa have a great shot at signing Nicolas Jackson from Chelsea. Priced at 10/11, Villa are the odds-on favourites to sign Jackson. The odds are shortening at the time of writing.

Jackson Next Club Odds

Ollie Watkins

Ollie Watkins is the most prolific player at Aston Villa’s disposal. The bookmakers believe he will continue with Villa in 2025/26, but Newcastle United are not out of the race.

If Nicolas Jackson completes his switch, we expect the odds of him joining Newcastle to shorten further.