Aston Villa close on Jackson and Mbaye as Emery clears the air with departing Watkins

Aston Villa are pushing hard in the final stretch of the transfer window. Unai Emery has confirmed that the club is closing in on Nicolas Jackson from Chelsea for £47.5m while negotiating with PSG over young winger Ibrahim Mbaye. At the same time, the Spanish coach has drawn a line under the Ollie Watkins saga, revealing that the striker apologised to the dressing room for refusing to play against Brighton before completing his move to Saudi Arabia.

• Nicolas Jackson, Emery's number one target, could debut against Arsenal after a £47.5m move from Chelsea.
• Villa are also finalising a deal for 18-year-old Senegal winger Ibrahim Mbaye from PSG.
• Ollie Watkins apologised to teammates for not wanting to play at Brighton before his Al-Hilal transfer.
• Emery admitted he cried when saying goodbye to Watkins and called the fees for strikers of his age 'crazy'.
• Leon Goretzka and Zion Suzuki could also make their debuts on Monday against Arsenal.

Nicolas Jackson, the man chosen to replace Watkins

Unai Emery is hopeful that Nicolas Jackson will arrive in time to be included in the squad for Monday's meeting with Arsenal. The Senegal forward is joining from Chelsea for £47.5m, although the deal includes add-ons that could take the package to a club-record figure close to £65m.

Jackson was the manager's first choice to fill the void left by Ollie Watkins. His pace in behind and ability to stretch defences fit neatly into the attacking structure Emery has built at Villa Park since taking charge.

It is a new chapter for the club. We replace him and, of course, I wish all the best to Watkins in Saudi. With Nicolas Jackson replacing him, we are happy.

Ibrahim Mbaye, a long-term target for Villa

The other major development for Villa is the pursuit of Ibrahim Mbaye. The 18-year-old Paris Saint-Germain winger and Senegal international has been on Emery's radar for some time. Birmingham officials view him as both an immediate reinforcement and a long-term investment in a key position.

Talks with the French champions are advanced. Mbaye's international connection with Jackson could also ease his adaptation, with both players already familiar with each other's game and language.

Rafael Leão drifts away from Villa Park

Villa made an ambitious push for Rafael Leão in recent days. However, the Milan winger now looks set to join Galatasaray, the same club Villa are preparing to face in the Champions League.

With that route cooling, Mbaye has become the chosen alternative for the club's sporting department. Villa prefer to secure two workable arrivals before the deadline rather than drag out an expensive negotiation with an uncertain ending.

Watkins apologises and Emery responds

Ollie Watkins is leaving for Al-Hilal in a deal worth around £50m, and his departure brings a mix of gratitude and disappointment at Villa. Emery acknowledged that the England striker refused to play in last weekend's defeat at Brighton, leaving the side without a recognised centre-forward.

The manager explained that Watkins approached the squad after the match to say sorry. 'He told us after the game that he was sorry and that he had made a mistake. We accepted it, the players as well, because his behaviour and commitment to the club were always magnificent,' Emery said.

For me, he is a fantastic guy, even more fantastic as a person than as a footballer. I said goodbye with a huge hug and a small tear. Now it is a new chapter.

Emery also defended Watkins' legacy among supporters. With 91 goals in 221 Premier League appearances for Villa, he is the club's leading scorer in the Premier League era. 'One mistake does not erase all the good things he did here. He is class and he leaves a legacy,' the manager added.

What is at stake for Aston Villa against Arsenal

On Monday, Villa host Arsenal needing to avoid a second consecutive defeat. Emery admitted his side did not perform at the required level at Brighton and that they must rediscover their rhythm in front of their own fans. 'Maybe we are not performing like before, but the objective is to get back there. We need time,' he said.

The match could mark the debut of Leon Goretzka, who joined from Bayern Munich, and Zion Suzuki, the Japanese goalkeeper who arrived from Parma for £30m. Suzuki would step in for Emiliano Martínez, who is close to completing a £7.5m switch to Chelsea.

Chelsea juggle Fernández exit and goalkeeper search

The Jackson operation also has implications at Stamford Bridge. Chelsea, who are on the verge of sealing Martínez's arrival, have explored a move for Monaco midfielder Lamine Camara as a potential reinforcement should Enzo Fernández leave.

The Argentina international is pushing hard to depart before the window closes, but Manchester City have yet to submit an official bid. Sources close to the negotiations warn that Chelsea will not accept less than their £120m asking price, despite reports in England suggesting a figure closer to £106.7m.

Chelsea's shortlist also includes Alex Scott of Bournemouth and Adam Wharton of Crystal Palace. Neither club is willing to facilitate a sale, and Arsenal have already rejected an enquiry for Martín Zubimendi.

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