Chelsea have set a steep asking price for Nicolas Jackson after a Premier League club entered the race to secure his signature.
Jackson enjoyed a relatively promising first season at Stamford Bridge following a £32m move from Villarreal in 2023, scoring 17 goals in all competitions.
But the Senegal international went backwards last season, only scoring one Premier League goal in the second-half of the campaign.
Wastefulness in front of goal has not been his own problem, either, with Jackson seeing red in two of his last five appearances, including in Chelsea’s Club World Cup defeat to Flamengo.
Jackson started that game from the bench as Enzo Maresca handed new signing Liam Delap his first Chelsea start since his £30m move from Ipswich Town.
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It was recently suggested by ex-Chelsea star John Obi Mikel that Jackson would remain Maresca’s first-choice striker next season ahead of Delap, who scored more goals than his new teammate for a team that were relegated from the Premier League.
But Chelsea have seemingly already decided to put their faith in Delap and are therefore open to offers for Jackson.
On Saturday, it was reported that Juventus had opened talks with Chelsea to discuss a deal for the 24-year-old.
Transfer expert Fabrizio Romano says an unnamed Premier League club are also showing interest in Jackson, who Chelsea value at between €55-60m.
Given Chelsea’s steep asking price of around £50m, Juventus are ready to turn to other targets unless the Blues shown a willingness to lower their demands.
Has Nicolas Jackson’s quality been disrespected at Chelsea?
‘I think Nicolas Jackson has definitely been disrespected. I think he’s the focal point and a real presence up there.
‘He occupies the centre-halves and takes them back to create space for the likes of Cole Palmer to come into.
‘Palmer, in particular, profited off the space that Jackson created him. Enzo [Fernandez] as well. I think Enzo is a better No. 10 than a No.8 and when he gets forward he’s a real goal threat.
‘But they need someone who is going to lead the line and occupy the centre-halves and create that space for them.
‘He’s been a huge miss. He’s not a prolific goalscorer but he’s certainly a threat and they can’t replace him.
‘They’ve got nobody like him to come in – they’ve tried it with [Christopher] Nkunku or playing with Pedro Neto as a false nine but it’s not worked.
‘Sometimes as a manager you have to find a different way. I just think they’re a bit to predictable on the ball, playing sideways and backwards, but perhaps there isn’t the options forward when the midfield players look up.
‘Jackson would normally be stretching the opposition in behind or they could play longer into his chest and have him hold the ball up. They haven’t had that in his absence so he’s been a huge miss.’
Ex-Premier League manager Tim Sherwood speaking to Metro
After being sent off in Chelsea’s second Club World Cup fixture, Flamengo boss Filipe Luis backed Jackson to develop into one of the best strikers in the world.
When asked about Jackson’s red card, Filipe Luis said: ‘First of all, I love Chelsea.
‘I spent one really happy season there, we won the Premier League and the League Cup and I made special friends and played with the best players in the world for a season, and I was really happy there.
‘So I know how the club is special and how the club needs to win titles because of the pressure inside the club, it happens.
‘But he [Jackson] is so good, he’s young, he has all the potential and quality the club needs.
‘For sure, he will surpass this little mistake. I think it was clear, I just saw it in front of me, I haven’t seen it on the TV yet, but for me it was a red.
‘But it is just a small detail for a player who is a big player, he can be one of the biggest strikers in the world.’
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