Chelsea face German side Bayer Leverkusen in their first friendly of the summer on Friday night.
While most clubs are winding down their preparations for the new campaign, the Blues have not yet played a friendly due to their extended participation in the FIFA Club World Cup, which culminated in them lifting the trophy in New Jersey in early July.
Enzo Maresca’s side will face both Leverkusen and AC Milan in the next week, before hosting Crystal Palace in their first match of the new Premier League season.
The Blues have been extremely busy in the transfer market this summer, with plenty of incomings and outgoings at Stamford Bridge.
Now, it appears that another member of Maresca’s squad could soon be on his way out of the club.
According to TBR Football, striker Nicolas Jackson has informed Chelsea that he wishes to leave the club before the end of the current transfer window.
Jackson could leave Chelsea before the end of the month (Photo: Sportimage Ltd/Alamy)
The Senegal international has endured a difficult couple of months having been sent off twice in his last four appearances across all competitions, meaning he missed the final two games of the Premier League season and much of the Club World Cup.
The striker did score twice in the Europa Conference League final, but the arrivals of Joao Pedro and Liam Delap this summer could significantly hinder his likely playing time next term.
With that in mind, the forward has told the Blues that he is keen to depart, and the report claims that several sides are showing interest in the player.
Clubs in Germany, including Bayern Munich, are said to have shown interest, while sides in Spain and Italy are also credited with an interest.
The report also claims that Premier League sides Aston Villa and Newcastle United have stepped up their pursuits of the player in recent weeks.