Aston Villa have completed the signing of Nicolas Jackson from Chelsea, with the forward returning to work under Unai Emery as the club move quickly to replace Ollie Watkins who is reportedly close to a move to Saudi Arabia.

Villa will reportedly pay a fixed fee of £47.5 million for Senegal international Jackson, with the overall package potentially rising to £65m through add-ons.

Jackson arrives at Villa Park at a significant moment for the club, with Watkins closing in on a move to Saudi Pro League side Al Hilal for around £50m.

Jackson had been deemed surplus to requirements at Stamford Bridge and had reportedly been training away from the main group. Indeed, he missed out on the matchday squad for Chelsea’s Premier League opener against Fulham on Monday.

The 25-year-old spent last season on loan at Bayern Munich where he provided an attacking option behind talisman Harry Kane. He scored 11 goals in 34 appearances, including three in the UEFA Champions League.

Jackson, who had been linked with a move to Atletico Madrid and Newcastle United, helped the Bavarians complete a Bundesliga and DFB Pokal double, but he failed to convince Vincent Kompany to make the move permanent.

Emery had been in the market for a striker with England international Watkins set to join Saudi Pro League side Al Hilal.

The timing makes Jackson’s arrival particularly significant. Watkins made himself unavailable for Villa’s Premier League opener against Brighton & Hove Albion and is currently undergoing a medical ahead of his proposed move to Saudi Arabia, bringing his six-year spell at the club to an end.

Jackson, meanwhile, already knows exactly what Emery expects having worked together at Villarreal during the early stages of the striker’s senior career.

Jackson emerged through the Spanish club’s system before establishing himself as a first-team forward. That previous relationship could prove valuable as Jackson settles into a new chapter in the Premier League.

Emery has been clear that Villa need to move quickly as they reshape their squad, and Jackson gives him a forward he knows well as he looks to compensate for the loss of one of the club’s most-important attacking players.

The move also represents another sizeable investment in the rebuild. Villa have been reshaping their squad this summer while balancing significant departures.

For the striker himself, the transfer offers an opportunity to revive his career in England under a manager who was familiar with his qualities before he became a Chelsea player.

Speaking earlier on Friday regarding Watkins’ departure, Emery said: ”I can tell you his commitment and his behaviour was always fantastic.

“He told us after the match [against Brighton] he was sorry, and he told us that he made a mistake, that he was wrong.

“We accepted it, the players as well, because he always had very good behaviour and commitment with the club, with us and with me.

”For me, he is a fantastic guy, an even more fantastic a guy than a player. I told him bye with a huge hug and a small tear, but now it’s a new chapter here with Nicolas Jackson.

“A new chapter, we replace him and, of course, all the best to Watkins in Saudi. With Nicolas Jackson replacing him, we are, of course, happy.”

Leon Goretzka, who joined Aston Villa from Bayern Munich on Thursday, could make his debut against Arsenal on Monday.

Goalkeeper Zion Suzuki is also in contention for his first appearance following his £30m move from Parma, with the Japan international set to replace Emi Martinez.