Jackson will be absentplaceholder image
Jackson will be absent | AFP via Getty Images
Chelsea’s squad is in good shape, but a scramble for strikers across the Premier League could see them cashing in.
Chelsea are sitting pretty ahead of the new season opening, even if it has felt as if they have never truly been away.
Champions League qualifiers for 2025/26 were well underway when the Blues were being crowned Club World Cup champions but there should be enough new faces in Enzo Maresca’s squad to ease any fears of fatigue. With two major trophies in the Stamford Bridge cabinet, spirits are as high as hopes ahead of the new campaign.
The early additions to the forward line made an immediate impact in the States but what they also did is push another player further down the pecking order. Nicolas Jackson has 34 goal contributions in 65 Premier League games, good, but not quite good enough to lead the line for Chelsea and, at 24-years old, the Senegal international will want to play regular football. It doesn’t look like he will get that if he stays put and there has already been interest.
What is the latest on Nicolas Jackson’s future at Chelsea?
According to Ben Jacobs of GiveMeSport and Talksport, talking to the London is Blue podcast, Chelsea are in no rush to sell Jackson and are intent on playing the sort of waiting game that could see them land an even bigger transfer fee: “Jackson is more likely to leave [than some other options]. When we interviewed Joao Pedro, we were told very clearly by the player that he sees himself as a no.9. I think the feeling within Chelsea is that 1) Nicolas Jackson wants to start week in, week out, and 2) Chelsea are prepared to entertain a sale.
“When Manchester United first enquired about Nicolas Jackson, they were told £80m. I sense that number will drop in the last four weeks of the window. And if it does – Newcastle have just bid nearly £90m for Benjamin Sesko. Manchester United have bid £85m for Benjamin Sesko. I think Chelsea are just waiting for that because they know these clubs, particularly Man United or Newcastle, will have a big chunk of money.”
How much could Chelsea charge for Jackson?
Chelsea’s squad is in good shape, but a scramble for strikers across the Premier League could see them cashing in.
One, by one, the list of available strikers has gradually shrunk to the extent that those in need are beginning to get desperate. The knock-on effect of Newcastle looking to replace Alexander Isak has seen clubs put up their asking prices and it is a similar story for Manchester United.
Seeing players like Viktor Gyokeres and Hugo Ekitike go off the market has only benefitted Chelsea who hold a striker who is more than capable of leading the line in the Premier League.
It is now just Newcastle left in the chase for Jackson as the Red Devils have agreed a deal to sign Sesko, with a medical expected on Friday.
Newcastle might not have Jackson at the top of their shopping lists, but they know that he is available for sale at the right price.
Both clubs wanted Sesko and the Magpies still need a no.9, and have shown their hands in terms of how much they are willing to pay.
Chelsea might not specifically value Jackson as high as £80m, what they have done though is let others get an idea of where negotiations will start. That they could end up paying almost all of the money it took to secure the signatures of Pedro and Delap is an incredible bit of business.
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