Arsenal are the latest team to be linked with Chelsea star Nicolas Jackson, whose future at Stamford Bridge is in doubt right now.
It has been reported that Chelsea and Jackson could part ways this summer despite the Senegal international only putting pen to paper on a new contract last year.
The above comes after talk that clubs in Italy are interested in signing Jackson, though there are doubts as to whether they will be able to afford him.
There is now speculation about Arsenal having Jackson on their radar, and club legend Thierry Henry has given his opinion on the 24-year-old in the past.
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Thierry Henry thinks Nicolas Jackson has potential
According to FootballTransfers, Arsenal have added Jackson to their transfer shortlist as they look to bring in a striker during this transfer window.
Since arriving at Chelsea in 2023, Jackson has received a lot of criticism, especially of late after picking up a red card at the Club World Cup.
For Henry, though, the former Villarreal man is a player with plenty of potential. When Henry spoke about Jackson last December, he said: “He’s on his way to being that [the real deal] but it’s a long road. One thing that is difficult when you play for a club like Chelsea and teams who are at the top is that you get compared to who was there before.
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“And maybe you’re not the same kind of striker, you’re a different striker, but you’re going to get compared to [Didier] Drogba.”
A Jackson departure would almost certainly see Chelsea bring in another forward. Brighton & Hove Albion’s Joao Pedro wants guarantees before he joins a new club, but the Brazilian is thought to be someone whom Chelsea have a serious interest in.
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Arsenal could sign three players from Chelsea this summer
Arsenal are set to confirm the signing of Kepa Arrizabalaga from their London rivals, bringing in the Spaniard to compete with compatriot David Raya for the No.1 spot.
Arsenal also want to recruit Noni Madueke, meaning that they can make it a hat-trick of signings from Chelsea if they can land both the winger and Jackson after Kepa.
Jackson and Madueke both made significant contributions to what was a successful campaign for Chelsea last term. The Blues should not be in a hurry to sell them, especially to their rivals.