According to Gianluca Di Marzio of Sky Italia, Tottenham have quietly stepped into the €100 million‑plus transfer fray that Arsenal have been dominating, even submitting an initial offer for Aston Villa forward Nicolas Jackson. The Italian journalist wrote that “Tottenham quietly muscle into Arsenal's €100m+ transfer battle – Spurs make offer” (Sport Witness). The same source claims the Spurs are treating the deal as a concrete interest rather than mere scouting.
Why Jackson Fits Tottenham’s January Priority
TribalFootball reported earlier this month that Tottenham have set a striker as a priority for the upcoming January window. While the publication did not name the player, the timing aligns with the club’s reported monitoring of a 27‑year‑old LaLiga forward and a Benfica attacker with a €100 million release clause. By linking these reports, it appears Tottenham are expanding their target list to include a young, prolific Premier League talent who could be acquired for a similar price.
“Tottenham quietly muscle into Arsenal's €100m+ transfer battle – Spurs make offer,” Di Marzio wrote.
Player Profile: Nicolas Jackson
Age: 23
Position: Forward (primarily left‑wing/second striker)
Current market value: roughly €70 million (according to Transfermarkt)
Peak value: €50 million in early 2024
Contract expiry: June 2027 with Aston Villa
Career path: Youth product of Benfica, senior debut with Benfica B, breakthrough at Vitória Guimarães (2020‑21), then transferred to Aston Villa for a reported €70 million in July 2023.
Jackson’s goal output has been impressive: 23 Premier League goals and 7 assists in 58 appearances for Villa, complemented by a strong record in European competition. His blend of pace, technical ability and finishing makes him a suitable fit for Antonio Conte’s preferred high‑pressing system.
Is €100 million a Fair Price?
From a valuation perspective, the €100 million price tag represents a noticeable premium over Jackson’s current market estimate. The player’s market value has risen steadily since his arrival in England, but a jump of roughly €30 million would push him into the upper echelons of Premier League forwards, a range typically occupied by proven World Cup‑level strikers. If Tottenham can negotiate a release‑clause activation – similar to the €100 million clause Benfica allegedly set for a different striker – the fee could be justified as a bargain for a player with a long‑term contract (2027) and a trajectory that suggests further upside.
Nevertheless, the fee may strain Tottenham’s finances, especially given their recent spending on midfield reinforcements. The club would need to balance the outlay against the potential resale value; at 23, Jackson still commands a high future market price, making the investment a calculated risk.
While the rumours remain unconfirmed, the combination of Di Marzio’s report and the earlier TribalFootball piece suggests Tottenham are serious about adding firepower. Whether the £85 million‑plus (€100 million) offer materialises will depend on Villa’s willingness to sell and the Spurs’ ability to meet the financial demands.
Reliability: 2/5 – The claim rests mainly on Gianluca Di Marzio’s Sky Italia report and a secondary TribalFootball note. Both sources are reputable but the story lacks corroboration from club statements or multiple independent outlets, keeping the overall confidence low.
