By Martin Graham
Chelsea have accepted improved terms with Bayern Munich for forward Nicolas Jackson. The 24-year-old will join the Bundesliga champions on an initial loan valued at £14.3m (€16.5m), with a compulsory purchase clause of £56.2m (€65m) triggered by a set number of appearances. The full package now exceeds £70m.
Jackson, who signed from Villarreal in 2023 for £32m, has already agreed on a future five-year contract with Bayern. His switch had appeared uncertain after Chelsea called him back when Liam Delap was sidelined during the recent win against Fulham, but the deal is now back on track.
Chelsea reinforce attack
To address their own shortage up front, Chelsea have secured Facundo Buonanotte on loan from Brighton. The 20-year-old Argentine arrives for a £2m fee and will provide cover in attack following Jackson’s departure.
Jackson had been a regular starter until his sending off at Newcastle in April, his second dismissal of the campaign. That absence left Chelsea short of striking options at a key stage of their Champions League push.
Strained relationship with manager
The Senegal international’s discipline problems resurfaced at the Club World Cup, where he was dismissed just four minutes after coming on in the loss to Flamengo. Chelsea went on to lift the trophy, but new signings Liam Delap and Joao Pedro took his place during the tournament.
Although Enzo Maresca previously described Jackson as his “ideal striker,” the player eventually lost support from both the head coach and senior figures at the club. This shift in confidence led the forward to look for a transfer away from Stamford Bridge.
Jackson could meet his former teammates as early as September 17, when Bayern host Chelsea in the Champions League. UEFA rules permit loan players to face their parent clubs in European competition.
