Newcastle and Aston Villa remain in the race to sign Nicolas Jackson from Chelsea despite a loan bid having been received for the striker from Bayern Munich, the PA news agency understands.
The 24-year-old has been told he can leave Stamford Bridge with the Blues favouring a permanent transfer ahead of next week’s deadline, though the only bid so far has come from the Bundesliga champions for a season-long arrangement.
PA understands Napoli are also interested in taking the Senegal international off Chelsea’s hands, though it is not known whether they would prefer a transfer over a loan.
Should Jackson, who has scored 31 goals in 80 games since a £22.5million move from Villarreal in 2023, remain in the Premier League it will likely be either at St James’ Park or Villa Park, though obstacles remain in both cases.
PA understands Newcastle want a resolution to Alexander Isak’s future before moving for Jackson whilst Villa are reported to have been reluctant to meet Chelsea’s £60m valuation, with profit and sustainability rules a factor, though a move does hold the appeal of reuniting Jackson with his former boss in Spain, Unai Emery.
Jackson does not have a future at Chelsea following the arrivals of strikers Joao Pedro from Brighton and Liam Delap from Ipswich during the summer.
He was signed initially with a view to being understudy to the more experienced Christopher Nkunku, who joined from RB Leipzig at the same time, though injuries to the France international that have largely wrecked his time at Chelsea meant Jackson has been the team’s main striker for the last two seasons.
He endured an almost five-month goal drought in the league between December and May last season which ultimately persuaded the club to pursue alternatives.
Chelsea need to offload Jackson and Nkunku in order to move forward with moves for Leipzig’s Xavi Simons – who PA understands favours a move to west London – and Manchester United’s unwanted winger Alejandro Garnacho.
