Chelsea transfer news: AC Milan make their move for Chelsea’s Nicolas Jackson
Chelsea transfer news: The Italian press is singing from the same hymn sheet for once. Corriere dello Sport and TuttoMercatoWeb are both reporting that AC Milan want Nicolas Jackson. When those two agree, there is usually fire behind the smoke. Milan have already touched base with the striker’s camp. New boss Ruben Amorim wants a proper physical presence up top for his 3-4-2-1 system.
Chelsea are playing hardball. No loans. They want a straight €60 million. It sounds steep, but the Senegal international is tied down at Stamford Bridge until 2033. Plus, Milan have form here; they looked at him back during his Villarreal days and sniffed around last summer before Chelsea sent him to Bayern Munich on loan. This time, the decks are clear for a permanent switch.
Why Xabi Alonso must take the money and run?
Selling Jackson for €60m is a no-brainer. Forget sentiment. Look at the cold facts.
He managed 11 goals for Bayern last term. Fine. But he did it mostly from the bench as Harry Kane’s backup, starting only 15 games. Bayern had a €65m option to buy and passed on it. They claimed the fee was too high, but if a giant like Bayern truly believed in him, they would have paid up.
Look at the Chelsea squad. The forward line is a total traffic jam. Joao Pedro, Liam Delap, and Emmanuel Emegha are all fighting for minutes. With no European football on the fixture list next season, Xabi Alonso cannot keep everyone happy. Keeping four main strikers for just domestic football is a recipe for a toxic dressing room.
Delap fits Alonso’s high-pressing, intricate system much better anyway, but he might be leaving as well. Pedro offers flexibility. Jackson loves running into space on the break, but his link-up play in tight, crowded areas is still too erratic.
Read: Chelsea want to sign €16m defender to bolster their backline
Jackson wants to stay. Alonso says everyone gets a clean slate. Fine words, but football is a business. That €60m can fund a new left winger and midfield cover. Keeping him means his value likely plummets while he sits on the bench. Take Milan’s money now before pre-season starts.
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