Latest Manchester United transfer news and gossip as Chelsea striker Nicolas Jackson emerges as a potential target for United
Nicolas Jackson of Chelsea
Nicolas Jackson of Chelsea is being linked with Manchester United(Image: Robbie Jay Barratt - AMA/Getty Images)
Manchester United are being linked with a surprise move for Chelsea striker Nicolas Jackson as they continue to be tipped to sign a new centre forward.
United have had a relatively quiet summer on the transfer front but that does not mean deals are not being worked on behind the scenes. Matheus Cunha has already been confirmed as a new signing for the Reds with the club hopeful of more deals being completed before the September 1 deadline.
Brentford star Bryan Mbeumo remains the priority target for United having already seen two bids rejected for the Cameroon international. In the background to that move, a striker is also on United's shortlist in the transfer market this summer.
Sky Sports reporter Dharmesh Sheth has claimed that United are showing an interest in signing Jackson from Chelsea this summer. The Reds are mentioned as being among a host of Premier League clubs in weighing up a move for the Senegal international, which is also said to include Aston Villa.
A separate report from The Athletic on Tuesday claimed that Liverpool could be a potential destination for Jackson if he were to leave Chelsea this summer, with sporting director Richard Hughes having tracked Jackson when the Reds transfer chief was at Bournemouth. The striker scored 13 goals in 37 appearances for the London outfit last season, having moved to the capital from Villarreal in 2023 for a reported fee worth £30million.
Jackson's future at Stamford Bridge has become increasingly uncertain as the summer transfer window has gone on. Chelsea have strengthened their forward line with the signings of Joao Pedro and United target Liam Delap, plus the arrival of Jamie Gittens from Borussia Dortmund.
The Daily Mail reported at the weekend that Chelsea have slapped a whopping £100m price tag on Jackson.
United currently have Rasmus Hojlund and Joshua Zirkzee as their striker options at the club, although both players have been tentatively linked with moves away from Old Trafford this summer.
If United were to make a move for Jackson or any other centre forward, it would likely lead to increased speculation around Hojlund and Zirkzee's futures.