4 August 2026·By [Paul Vegas](/author/paul-vegas)
Nicolas Jackson could make a rare move between bitter rivals, with Tottenham weighing up a £65m Chelsea target as their attacking search continues.
No formal approach has been made to open club-to-club talks, but sources have confirmed Spurs currently have the 25-year-old Senegalese under consideration.
Manager Roberto De Zerbi wants to add further to his attack, having already committed almost £250m to strengthening defence and midfield this summer through the signings of Sandro Tonali, Mateus Fernandes, Jan Paul van Hecke, Andy Robertson and Marcos Senesi.
Speaking during Tottenham's pre-season tour of Sydney, De Zerbi estimated their transfer business was still only "60 per cent" complete, and separately acknowledged that Richarlison, who scored the stoppage-time winner in a 2-1 friendly victory over Chelsea, could yet leave the club before the window shuts.
Jackson spent last season on loan at Bayern Munich, scoring 11 goals and adding three assists in 34 appearances, having previously managed 24 combined Premier League goals across his first two seasons following his move from Villarreal.
He played four matches for Senegal at this summer's World Cup before their exit to Belgium. Chelsea value him at £65m, with Aston Villa also long-standing admirers; any Villa move would need to be a permanent transfer given they have already taken Alejandro Garnacho on loan this summer.
Jackson himself is said to be open to leaving Stamford Bridge in search of more guaranteed game time, though Chelsea head coach Xabi Alonso recently struck a more measured tone: "Nico is a great player, a threat against any defence.
"We want players that can compete. Nico is one of them. We need to go day-by-day checking options, but we are happy Nico is with us."
Tottenham's sporting director Johan Lange, formerly of Villa, has admired Jackson for some time, including before De Zerbi's arrival as manager. Business between the two London clubs is historically rare: Gus Poyet moved from Chelsea to Tottenham for a small fee in 2001, Carlo Cudicini joined for free in 2009 after Chelsea agreed to cut short his contract, and academy player Joel Vidal-Philbert switched between the clubs' youth systems in February this year.