Villa seal club-record Jackson deal as Watkins departs for Al Hilal

The fixed fee stands at £47.5m, eclipsing the £59.5m Villa paid for Johan Maznambi earlier in the window—their second record transfer of the summer, according to Sky Sports News.

Jackson's arrival comes as Watkins edges closer to a £50m move to Saudi Arabia's Al Hilal, with the England striker undergoing a medical ahead of the switch.

Villa have also reached a verbal agreement with Paris Saint-Germain over winger Ibrahim Mbaye, valued in the region of £47m. The move follows the club missing out on AC Milan's Rafa Leao to Galatasaray. Mbaye made 24 Ligue 1 appearances last season, recording three goals and two assists from the right wing.

It caps a dramatic summer for the Midlands club. Beyond Watkins' exit, Villa have lost Youri Tielemans, Morgan Rogers, Ezri Konsa and Lucas Digne. Incoming arrivals include Alejandro Garnacho, Leon Goretzka, Joao Gomes, Aaron Wan-Bissaka and Matteo Ruggeri.

Manager Unai Emery defended the upheaval before Monday's clash with Arsenal, stating Villa have made "good decisions" to balance squad rebuild with maintaining competitive ambition. "We will need time," he said, emphasising the blend of experience and potential in the new additions.