Chelsea demands a golden bridge for Nicolas Jackson

The Blues insist on a €75m permanent transfer, putting Aston Villa ahead of Atlético Madrid

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Chelsea demands a golden bridge for Nicolas Jackson

Chelsea refuses to loan out Nicolas Jackson and is demanding around €75 million, a requirement that now gives Aston Villa the upper hand.

The Nicolas Jackson saga has taken a dramatic turn. On Thursday, Atlético Madrid seemed close to landing the Senegalese striker, but Chelsea's demands have cooled the Colchoneros’ interest. The Spanish club was hoping for a loan deal, while the Blues are only considering a permanent sale.

According to The Telegraph, Chelsea values their player at £65 million, or roughly €75 million. Jackson has also been excluded from the main training squad, a clear sign that the club is actively seeking his departure.

Aston Villa must first resolve the Watkins situation

Aston Villa now emerges as the frontrunner and could soon submit an official offer. Nicolas Jackson is reportedly open to reuniting with Unai Emery, his former manager at Villarreal. However, the move hinges on Ollie Watkins, for whom Al-Hilal has already made four bids, all rejected.

If the England international does depart, Villa would have an immediate need and additional funds to meet Chelsea’s demands. This scenario underlines Chelsea’s intent to finalize Jackson’s exit quickly, without entertaining another temporary arrangement.

A brief and fruitless stint at Bayern

Loaned to Bayern Munich last season, Jackson failed to convince the club’s hierarchy to keep him. The experience ended in contractual disappointment, as the purchase option was not triggered. Still, his numbers were not negligible: 11 goals and 3 assists in 34 appearances across all competitions, though he only logged 1,320 minutes and made 19 substitute appearances. He contributed to Bayern’s Bundesliga and German Super Cup triumphs. Chelsea is therefore demanding a hefty fee for a striker who was mostly a substitute in Germany.