Chelsea Transfer News: Senagalese striker joins the Blues, while another Senagalese defender leaves Stamford Bridge

In Chelsea transfer news, Villarreal striker Nicolas Jackson joins Chelsea for 37 million. Another Senagalese, Kalidou Koulibaly leaves Chelsea to join Al-Hilal in Saudi Pro League.

Nicolas Jackson joins Chelsea as the new forward threat

Nicolas Jackson will join Chelsea from Villarreal for €37m (£31.8m) on an eight-year deal after completing his medical with the club on Sunday.

Jackson scored 12 goals in 26 appearances in La Liga last season and came close to joining Bournemouth in January but failed a medical because of a hamstring problem.

The 22-year-old Senegal striker finished the season by scoring eight goals in as many games, attracting interest from Aston Villa and Everton, but Chelsea have won the race for his signature. They have paid more than Jackson's release clause in order to get more beneficial payment terms within the structure of the deal.

Jackson moved to Villarreal from Senegal in 2019. He was sent out on loan to Mirandés a year later to play in the second tier. After impressing for the club's B team, he was given his La Liga debut in October 2021.

In other Chelsea transfer news, Jackson will become the second striker to move to Chelsea in a short space of time after the arrival of Christopher Nkunku from RB Leipzig for £51m on Tuesday. The new manager, Mauricio Pochettino, made it a priority to bolster his frontline options after Chelsea averaged a goal a game last season in finishing a disappointing 12th and subsequently missing out on European football.

Chelsea Transfer News: Koulibaly leaves Chelsea after just joining last summer

Kalidou Koulibaly has become the latest Chelsea player to move to Saudi Arabia after the defender completed a transfer to Al-Hilal for an undisclosed fee.

The centre-back, 32, joins Ruben Neves at the Saudi Pro League side following the Wolves midfielder's £47m switch.

Chelsea midfielder N'Golo Kante has also agreed to sign for Saudi champions Al-Ittihad, while team-mate Edouard Mendy is close to joining Al-Ahli.

Koulibaly signed for Chelsea from Napoli last July on a four-year deal.

He arrived at Stamford Bridge with European and international experience, after helping Napoli win the Italian Cup in 2020 and Senegal claim the Africa Cup of Nations in 2022.

But he played just 32 games for the club in all competitions, scoring two goals in 23 Premier League appearances.

"From my first game to my last, it was an honour to wear this badge," Koulibaly said on Twitter.

"Last season wasn't the one we wanted, but I want to thank the fans and everyone at the club for your support."

Chelsea did not disclose how much Al-Hilal have paid for Koulibaly - but reports suggest it could be as much as £20m.