Chelsea have agreed personal terms with Nicolas Jackson who plays with Nigeria Super Eagles winger Samuel Chukwueze at Spanish LaLiga side Villarreal. Jackson, a Senegal international, finished the season as the Yellow Submarine's top goalscorer in LaLiga last season as they finished in fifth place.
This transfer will see Jackson add to the number of AFCON stars that have played for Chelsea and will also add to the number of Senegal internationals currently contracted to the club. Chelsea will present a bid of £30 million for the striker who is willing to give up European football for the Premier League.
Chelsea official bid for Nicolas Jackson will be submitted next week. €35m to match the release clause, Villarreal are already informed. 🚨🔵 #CFC
Installments & payment terms are being discussed then medical scheduled.
Jackson only wants Chelsea despite 3 more bids. pic.twitter.com/oYYx8VA7vm
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) June 17, 2023
Villarreal unwilling to let Jackson go – Reports
Chelsea under Todd Boehly has been a hit and miss. The new ownership started with a plethora of signings which included AFCON 2021 winner Kalidou Koulibaly who joined his compatriot Edouard Mendy at Stamford Bridge. The signings failed to adapt and three managers later, they will be not be participating in European football for the first time in a decade.
The club's management have decided that a squad clearout is the best thing and have also earmarked a number of positions that are lacking. The striker's position is too of that list and their scouts identified Nicolas Jackson, who got promoted to the Villarreal senior team in 2021.
The 21-year-old striker has had a similar career path to Chukwueze but his seems to be progressing faster with the reports linking him to Chelsea. Chelsea, however, will face resistance from Villarreal who are only beginning to enjoy Jackson's talents.
The Senegal forward is fresh off his second season, his first as a starter, and has made a huge impact in the team with his striking ability. The Yellow Submarine, who have a target of winning the UEFA Europa League and challenging for the LaLiga title, see Jackson as important to their goals. The probability of losing players like Chukwueze, who has been linked to AC Milan, is also a key reason for their hesitancy with Jackson's transfer.
Chelsea, on the other hand, are reported to be prepared to activate the striker's release clause which is around the same figure if their £30 million bid is not accepted by Villarreal, who they are in talks with at the moment.
Jackson to sign long-term Chelsea contract
Like most of the Chelsea transfers of the Boehly era, Jackson is expected to sign a long-term contract. The length is unknown but the rumours indicate he could put pen to paper on a seven-year deal. Jackson almost joined Bournemouth in January but a hamstring injury slowed the negotiations, only for him to recover and become clutch for Villarreal in the last few months of the LaLiga season.
Jackson's arrival could spend up the departure of Kai Havertz who is being courted by Super Eagles legend Kanu Nwankwo's former club Arsenal. Jackson, who has played twice with Senegal, is currently in line for his AFCON debut. The reigning African champions are on international duty in the AFCON 2023 qualifiers games for June 2023.
Nicolas Jackson for Senegal vs Benin (First half):
– 21 Touches
– 1 Assist
– 2 Key Passes
– 1 Big chance created
– 2/2 Dribbles
– 6/7 Ground Duels won pic.twitter.com/5DODcB3FRM— VScout (@VScout_) June 17, 2023
The Nigeria national football team is also in action against Sierra Leone with the Group A top spot and the AFCON ticket on the line.
This article was most recently revised and updated 4 months ago
