Chelsea's £60 Million Price Tag on Nicolas Jackson: Transfer Saga Unfolds
Chelsea have put a £60 million price tag on Nicolas Jackson as Tottenham and Aston Villa circle, with the valuation already emerging as the major stumbling block to any deal.
The 25-year-old forward is back at Cobham after a productive loan spell at Bayern Munich, where he scored 11 goals in 34 games last season. Bayern, despite winning the Bundesliga title, chose not to trigger the €65m (£55.5m) option to buy, sending Jackson back to Stamford Bridge and straight into one of this summer’s most intriguing transfer sagas.
Jackson’s future in Alonso’s hands
Fresh from four appearances for Senegal at the World Cup, Jackson has reported for pre-season under Xabi Alonso, who now holds the decisive voice on the striker’s future. According to RMC Sport, both Alonso and Chelsea are prepared to cash in before the window shuts — but only on their terms.
Those terms are clear: £60m or nothing.
Tottenham, Aston Villa and Atletico Madrid have all registered interest. The profile is obvious: a mobile, athletic striker with top-level experience and room to grow. The problem is just as obvious. Clubs view Chelsea’s asking price as excessive, and the report describes that fee as the “main obstacle” blocking Jackson’s exit.
The tension around his status was underlined at the weekend. Jackson was left out of the squad entirely as Alonso’s side beat Real Sociedad 3-1 in their final pre-season friendly at Stamford Bridge. At a time when suitors are watching every selection for clues, that omission will not go unnoticed.
Striker reshuffle at Stamford Bridge
Chelsea’s stance on Jackson comes in the context of a broader reshaping of their forward line. The club have already moved to add experience at the top end of the pitch, bringing in Danny Welbeck from Brighton for £5m earlier this month.
Welbeck’s arrival gives Alonso a different type of option, and it also sharpens the focus on those who could be sacrificed to balance both the squad and the books. Jackson is one. Liam Delap is another.
Delap, signed from Ipswich Town for £30m last year, is also available for transfer. Chelsea are demanding £40m for the 23-year-old, who, like Jackson, was left out of the squad for the Real Sociedad friendly.
Delap wanted in Italy – but eyes on Premier League
There is concrete interest. Serie A side Como, managed by Cesc Fabregas and already home to former Chelsea defender Trevoh Chalobah after his move earlier this summer, have made an approach for Delap.
It is an attractive project on paper: an ambitious Italian club, a familiar face in Fabregas, and a growing Chelsea connection. Delap, though, has a clear preference. He wants to stay in the Premier League.
That puts the onus on English clubs. Match Chelsea’s £40m valuation and Delap is available. Fall short, and he stays put, at least for now.
High prices, high stakes
So Chelsea wait. Tottenham, Villa and Atletico monitor Jackson’s situation, aware that the London club are open to a sale but refusing, so far, to blink at £60m. Como push for Delap, while Premier League sides weigh whether to test Chelsea’s resolve.
Alonso has his squad on the training pitch and his boardroom locked in negotiations. The window is moving quickly. The question now is simple: who will pay Chelsea’s price to lead their line this season?
