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Aston Villa is ready to go head-to-head with Newcastle to sign the Chelsea striker Nicolas Jackson. And that could have a knock-on impact for Liverpool.
According to the Daily Mirror, Unai Emery is keen on signing Jackson to bolster his forward line. Chelsea is willing to let the player leave having already signed Joao Pedro and Liam Delap this summer, and values its Cameroonian forward at around $81 million (£60 million).
Chelsea would use the PSR wriggle room that the sale of Jackson would open up to pursue a move for RB Leipzig attacking midfielder Xavi Simons. That could, in turn, mean the Bundesliga side firming up its interest in Liverpool's Harvey Elliott.
The Stamford Bridge side is also keen to sign Alejandro Garnacho from Manchester United. The Argentine has already rejected the chance to sign for Bayern Munich because he wants to move to West London.
Jackson is eyeing a permanent place in the starting XI at his next club. The 24-year-old is said to have been offered to both Aston Villa and Newcastle as time continues to tick by in the transfer window.
Emery's men could push for a loan given it has little room to work with when it comes to its economic situation. Eddie Howe's side, meanwhile, is in need of at least one number nine before it softens its stance on Alexander Isak.
Newcastle has already lost out on Pedro, Hugo Ekitike and others this summer, with Jackson one name to have emerged after Benjamin Sesko chose Manchester United.
Before Newcastle can think about relenting on Isak, it will need to sign at least one player to come in and replace him. It is also trying to do a deal for Brentford striker Yoane Wissa.
"Nothing has changed," Howe said when questioned about the latest on Isak's future at the weekend. "The door is well and truly open.
"He has to decide what he wants to do. We would like a resolution. We need that clarity. You don't need any kind of distraction.
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"I am not in control of that. There is one person who can control that. Let's wait and see. I have made my stance clear. I am concentrating on the team."
Liverpool will play Newcastle on Monday when there could be an intense atmosphere inside St James' Park. Magpies fans have been unhappy with Isak wanting out, with the player only wanting to sign for the Reds.
Liverpool.com says: It has always felt likely that a replacement would need to be signed before Isak could leave. Whether Jackson is the right man remains to be seen, but who could realistically fill the void? Isak is one of the very best players in the world.
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