Chelsea boss Enzo Maresca has pushed Nicolas Jackson closer to the Stamford Bridge exit door amid transfer links to Aston Villa .

Maresca has confirmed the striker will not be in his squad for Chelsea’s Premier League clash at West Ham on Friday night, having also left the Senegal international out of his opening matchday squad.

And while he insists he has “no idea” if an exit for the 24-year-old is close, he has admitted “something can happen” before the summer transfer window closes on September 1.

Villa have been linked with a transfer move for Jackson, who played under Unai Emery at Villarreal.

Speaking at a press conference on Thursday, Maresca said: "He (Jackson) is available, but he's not going to be part of the squad (against West Ham).

"We have two strikers, two players in

See Full Page