Latest Newcastle United transfer news as Chelsea make a major Nicolas Jackson decision
Nicolas Jackson celebrates winning the 2025 Club World Cup with Chelsea
Nicolas Jackson has been linked with a move to Newcastle amid uncertainty over his Chelsea future
(Image: FIFA via Getty Images)
Amid transfer links to Newcastle United, Chelsea striker Nicolas Jackson has been omitted from the squad of their first friendly of pre-season vs Bayer Leverkusen.
Eddie Howe's team continue to be linked with several attacking options with eight days to go until the start of the new Premier League campaign. Most recently they came close to landing RB Leipzig talent Benjamin Sesko, submitting a £65.5m bid earlier this week, but now look to have lost out to Manchester United on that front.
Jackson is a reported target and further clarity to where his career with Chelsea stands may have just arrived.
Enzo Maresca's side begin their pre-season schedule on Friday night, only doing so at this late date because they were involved in the FIFA Club World Cup between June and July. The 24-year-old has not been named among the starting XI or substitutes who face Leverkusen at Stamford Bridge.
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However, there is room for summer signings Liam Delap, Joao Pedro and Jamie Gittens, as well as other attackers Cole Palmer, Estevao Willian, Tryrique George and Pedro Neto. Just not the Senegal international.
Speaking before the fixture Maresca had stated: "Nico is okay. When the window is open, anything can happen. This involves Nico's situation.
"At the moment, the two strikers have arrived. So we will see."
It remains to be seen what the Chelsea manager adds later tonight as to why the Newcastle-linked attacker is not involved. Chelsea also play AC Milan in two days at Stamford Bridge, so it may be that he is included in that friendly.
Following a £32m move from Villarreal to London, Jackson has scored 30 goals in 81 appearances.
He made an important contribution with a strike in last season's Europa Conference League final against Real Betis, which Chelsea went on to win, but he has also been the subject of scrutiny for certain flashpoints. An example is his red card in the third-from-last match of last season at St. James' Park, with Newcastle beating the Blues 2-0 that day.
Added competition for a place in Maresca's side has served to boost transfer speculation, as has the Magpies' own saga regarding Alexander Isak and attempts to sign attacking reinforcements.
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