Nicolas Jackson's transfer saga has taken a dramatic turn, with the Chelsea striker now poised to join Bayern Munich on loan with an obligation to buy. After days of uncertainty and a previous breakdown in negotiations, the two clubs have reached a new agreement worth a potential £70.5 million.
Bayern Munich will pay an increased loan fee of £14.25 million for the 2025-2026 season. The deal includes an obligation to buy Jackson for £56.2 million. If performance-based clauses are met, the total package will amount to £70.5 million. Jackson has reportedly agreed to personal terms and is expected to sign a five-year contract with the Bundesliga champions.
The initial agreement between Chelsea and Bayern was called off after Liam Delap sustained a hamstring injury during a game against Fulham. Chelsea, who were initially set to receive £13 million for the loan with an option to buy, decided to pull out of the deal, requesting Jackson return to London. This left Jackson, who had already traveled to Germany for a medical, in limbo.
Despite the setback, Jackson and his agent, Ali Barat, remained in Germany, determined to find a solution. Barat affirmed his commitment to securing the move, stating he would "fight with everything I have to make sure Nico's next step reflects his talent, ambition, and the plan we built together". Bayern Munich re-entered talks with Chelsea, and a new deal was eventually agreed upon.
Chelsea's initial reluctance to let Jackson leave stemmed from concerns over their striker options. With Christopher Nkunku having moved to AC Milan and Delap injured, manager Enzo Maresca was left with limited options. To address this, Chelsea has recalled Marc Guiu from his loan at Sunderland. Chelsea has been actively pursuing other players, including Fermin Lopez from Barcelona and Conrad Harder from Sporting CP, but with limited time left in the transfer window, a deal seemed unlikely.
The transfer represents a significant financial commitment from Bayern Munich, who view Jackson as a long-term attacking partner for Harry Kane. For Chelsea, the deal guarantees a substantial fee for a player who has divided opinion during his time at Stamford Bridge. Jackson joined Chelsea in the summer of 2023 for £30 million. He has since made 81 appearances for the club, scoring 30 goals and providing 12 assists.
The transfer deadline day has been busy for Chelsea, with several other deals in the works. Facundo Buonanotte has joined on loan from Brighton, and Alex Matos has moved to Sheffield United on a permanent transfer. The club has also completed the signings of Liam Delap, Dario Essugo, Estevao, Jamie Gittens, Jorrel Hato, Joao Pedro, and Kendry Paez this summer. Kendry Paez will spend the season on loan at Strasbourg. Additionally, Christopher Nkunku has left Chelsea to join AC Milan.
