Everton are keeping tabs on ‘in-form’ Villareal forward, Nicolas Jackson but will reportedly face competition from Spanish giants Barcelona for the Senegalese’s signature.
There were a number of reports during the summer linking Everton to a move for Nicolas Jackson, but he ended up staying at Villareal and has recently hit the best form of his career, scoring 2 and assisting 1 in his last 4 games in all competitions.
His contract at the 2020/21 Europa League winners ends at the end of the current season, putting him in the shop window and sparking interest from a number of clubs.
Jackson joined Villareal as a teenager, joining their youth system after previously playing first-team football at Senegalese club, Casa Sports, before agreeing to a contract which would take him to Spain.
The forward was almost immediately sent out on loan to LaLiga 2 side, CD Mirandes, where he would play his first professional game in Spain. He would appear 17 times, mostly off the bench, but would bag his first goal in a 1-1 draw with CD Castellon.
Upon his return to Villareal, he would earn a starting place in his side’s B team, before a few good showings led to his first-team debut in 2021 as a 20-year-old.
Since making his debut, he has managed 3 goals, one of which coming in the Europa Conference League.
Although he appears to be finding his feet at Villareal, with his contract expiring at the end of the season, a move away from the yellow submarines could be on the cards.
According to the Football Insider, Everton are keeping tabs on the Senegalese forward but could face competition from the likes of Barcelona for his signature [via Caught Offside].
Barcelona looking to rival Everton in the race to sign Villarreal forward. #EFChttps://t.co/SAvoptDV5E pic.twitter.com/1CHjzPL8nn
— Matt (@TacticallyMatt) October 31, 2022
Everton obviously need some attacking reinforcements in the coming windows, but with their recent financial instability, Thelwell should potentially be pushing for deals to be done in this way. Whilst Jackson might not be the perfect fit for Lampard’s system, there is little to no risk in completing it.