The Chelsea boss has spoken about his striker's future amid links to Newcastle
Chelsea striker Nicolas Jackson
Chelsea striker Nicolas Jackson(Image: FIFA via Getty Images)
Chelsea head coach Enzo Maresca has revealed Nicolas Jackson will not be part of his squad for Friday night's Premier League clash with West Ham United as he looks for a transfer soultion for the striker.
The Senegal forward has been linked with a £60m to Newcastle United, with the Magpies urgently needing to sign a striker to replace Alexander Isak in Eddie Howe's squad.
The Magpies have seen Callum Wilson leave on a free transfer earlier this summer, and now Isak is unavailable as he tries to force through a move to Premier League rivals Liverpool.
While Newcastle's stance on Isak's future remains that he is not for sale, that does not help address Howe's lack of goalscoring options in his squad.
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Anthony Gordon led the line against Aston Villa in their opening-day goalless draw and is expected to do the same when Liverpool come to St James' Park for Monday night's Premier League clash.
Jackson is available for £60m, with Newcastle and Villa said to be interested. Villa boss Unai Emery worked with the 24-year-old at Villarreal and is said to be open to a move.
However, Maresca confirmed he would not be part of Chelsea's squad, with new signings Liam Delap and Joao Pedro hoping to get off the mark against the Hammers after they drew a blank against Crystal Palace on Sunday.
"He is available but he is not going to be part of the squad," Maresca said in his pre-match media briefing on Thursday morning. "We have two strikers, two in that position and also something can happen before the transfer window closes.
"Christo (Nkunku) is with us but it's the same answer as Nico. The other two players are training apart looking for a solution.
"We'll see. If they are going to be here, they will be with us. If not, it means they found a solution. I think it's better if they find a solution because they are going to be more happy."
Jackson has struggled to find his best form at Chelsea since signing from Villarreal in 2023. He has scored 30 goals in 81 appearances for the Blues, but has fallen down the pecking order following their summer transfer business.
His last Premier League action for Chelsea saw him sent off in the 2-0 defeat to Newcastle late last season - while he also saw red in the Club World Cup in June.
When asked if Jackson was close to leaving, Maresca added: "No idea, to be honest. No idea. You know already from last season that I prefer to be focused on training sessions, prepare the game and these kind of things. I don't know."