Market value: €50 million
Nicolas Jackson’s time at Chelsea seems to be coming to an end, with a departure from Stamford Bridge likely in the near future. Since joining from Villarreal, Jackson has drawn mixed reactions from Chelsea supporters, as his promise has been countered by inconsistency. The 24-year-old forward has scored 30 goals in 81 appearances for the club but has seen himself demoted in the lineup this summer. With the signings of Liam Delap and João Pedro, Jackson’s chances have diminished significantly, evident by his lack of playing time in Chelsea’s first two Premier League matches.
According to David Ornstein, Chelsea is not actively seeking to sell Jackson this summer. However, interest is building among various Premier League and European clubs. Some teams may target Jackson if they fail to secure their first-choice options, while others are keen on the Senegalese international. Chelsea reportedly values Jackson at over €80 million, a price tag that may deter several potential buyers. As such, we’ve compiled a list of five possible destinations for Jackson this summer, whether on a permanent basis or through a loan.
Five Possible Transfer Destinations for Nicolas Jackson
Bayern Munich
The reigning Bundesliga champions are said to have reached a personal agreement with Jackson and are interested in a loan arrangement for the striker. With Harry Kane occupying the primary striker role, Jackson could serve as an effective backup option, especially as Kane approaches the later stages of his career. This could be a relatively economical move for Bayern.
Newcastle United
Following their unsuccessful pursuit of Benjamin Sesko, who is set to join Manchester United, Newcastle has turned its attention to Jackson. The club has shown interest in the Chelsea forward, and with their priority target now out of reach, they may move quickly to secure Jackson. Newcastle has funds to spend but has faced rejections from other top prospects. If they can’t attract their preferred choice, Jackson could be an attractive alternative. Reports indicate that Chelsea has already put forward the option of Jackson to Newcastle, who are in need of additional striking options.
AC Milan
Similar to Newcastle, AC Milan has been approached about signing Jackson. However, the Italian side may struggle to finance a permanent transfer. Generally, Serie A clubs prefer to initiate deals with a loan arrangement that includes a buy option. Chelsea, on the other hand, desires any future clause to be an obligation to buy, which could complicate talks with Milan. Under the guidance of Massimiliano Allegri, who is looking to rejuvenate the club after they missed out on European football last season, Jackson could provide a vital upgrade to their current strike force, which features only Santiago Gimenez.
Juventus
Juventus, historically Italy’s most decorated club with 36 Scudetti to their name, has not won the title since their nine-year streak ended in 2020. The club has struggled in recent years and has faced mismanagement in the transfer market. However, Juventus secured Champions League qualification on the last day of last season and aims to close the gap with Napoli and Inter Milan. They have already bolstered their attack with Jonathan David’s acquisition but are keen on adding another forward due to Dusan Vlahovic’s uncertain future. Although Randal Kolo Muani is their first target, Jackson has surfaced as a potential backup option.
Aston Villa
Aston Villa’s transfer window has been relatively quiet as they navigate financial restrictions following their failure to qualify for the Champions League. Their only signing has been Yasin Ozcan for €7 million, leaving further additions dependent on player sales. With Ollie Watkins as their sole recognized striker, Villa needs to bolster competition for him. Despite not having replaced Jhon Duran, Jackson, having previously worked under Unai Emery at Villarreal, could be reuniting with his former manager. However, the financial intricacies of the deal would likely hinder progress unless Watkins were to move.
