Nicolas Jackson has reportedly informed Chelsea of his desire to leave the club, with Newcastle United emerging as a strong contender for his signature. The Senegalese forward's future at Stamford Bridge has become uncertain following the arrival of new strikers Liam Delap and João Pedro, pushing him further down the pecking order.
Jackson was notably absent from Chelsea's squad for their pre-season friendly against Bayer Leverkusen on Friday, further fueling speculation about his imminent departure. It is believed that he trained alone on Friday after communicating his wish to leave.
Several clubs have expressed interest in Jackson, including Tottenham Hotspur, AC Milan, Napoli and Bayern Munich. However, it appears that Newcastle are in a favorable position to secure the 24-year-old's services, as he is said to be keen on staying in the Premier League and playing Champions League football.
Chelsea are thought to value Jackson at around £80 million, but they may be willing to accept a reduced fee of approximately £65 million in order to facilitate his exit and reshape their attacking options. The Blues have already been active in the transfer market, and are reportedly targeting Xavi Simons from RB Leipzig and Alejandro Garnacho from Manchester United.
Newcastle's interest in Jackson comes as they face the potential departure of Alexander Isak, who has been linked with a move to Liverpool. The Magpies have also missed out on other targets this summer, including Benjamin Sesko, who is reportedly close to joining Manchester United.
However, Newcastle's pursuit of Jackson could be complicated by the fact that he would be suspended for their opening Premier League game against Aston Villa due to a red card he received against Newcastle last season. Jackson was handed a three-match ban for a challenge on Sven Botman, and he still has one game left to serve.
Despite the potential suspension, Newcastle see Jackson as a valuable addition to their squad, as they look to bolster their attacking options for the upcoming season. Jackson joined Chelsea from Villarreal in 2023 for a fee of £32 million. In his first season with the Blues, he scored 10 Premier League goals. Overall he has netted 30 goals in 81 appearances for the West London club.
While Jackson has shown promise, his performances have been inconsistent, and he has faced criticism from some fans. The arrivals of Delap and Pedro have further increased competition for places in Chelsea's attack, leading Jackson to seek a move elsewhere.
According to Fabrizio Romano, both Chelsea and Jackson have mutually agreed that it is time to part ways, with the player seeking to be a key figure at his new club. Chelsea are said to be in talks with multiple clubs regarding a deal for Jackson.
However, Newcastle may face competition from other clubs for Jackson's signature. Tottenham are reportedly interested if Richarlison leaves, while clubs from abroad have also expressed interest. Aston Villa are also thought to have expressed an interest after manager Unai Emery worked with the Senegal international at Villarreal.
Newcastle are also considering other options, including FC Porto's Samu Aghehowa. Ultimately, Jackson's future remains uncertain, but it appears increasingly likely that he will be leaving Chelsea this summer.
