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Analysis
- 38 minutes ago
Nicolas Jackson close to Chelsea exit amid €50m La Liga raid
Chelsea forward Nicolas Jackson has been identified as a key transfer target by both Atletico Madrid and Barcelona, according to sensational reports in Spain.
The Senegal international has been heavily linked with a summer transfer following the arrivals of Liam Delap and Joao Pedro at Stamford Bridge, and his own reckless behaviour in recent weeks.
Jackson has been sent off on two occasions in his last five Chelsea appearances, while he has only scored four goals since the start of 2025, with three of them coming in the Europa Conference League.
Pedro was selected ahead of the 24-year-old during Chelsea’s Club World Cup semi-final against Fluminense on Tuesday, with Delap absent through suspension, and the Brazilian netted two fantastic goals to earn the Blues a crucial 2-0 victory.
Jackson, meanwhile, flattered to deceive during his time on the pitch as a substitute, with the Senegal star notably missing a guilt-edged chance when passing to Cole Palmer appeared to be the better option.
FootballTransfers understands that Arsenal and Manchester United have both expressed their interest in a possible move for Jackson over the past few months, and Fichajes have now revealed that Atletico Madrid and Barcelona are interested in acquiring his services.
The Spanish outlet claim that Diego Simeone’s side have “set their sights” on completing a deal for Jackson, while Barcelona are reportedly eyeing a potential loan deal amid their pursuit of a new centre forward.
Chelsea reportedly value Jackson at roughly €50 million, which is substantially below his Estimated Transfer Value (ETV), and they are open to a departure this summer as they look to balance the books through a number of player sales.
Chelsea to keep Nicolas Jackson?
Despite Jackson’s poor form, the arrival of Delap and Pedro’s fantastic start to life at Chelsea, John Obi Mikel believes that Maresca should keep the ex-Villarreal striker at the club.
“It is important we have competition in the team, it is very important when you play for a big club and you are competing for trophies and that is what we have got now,” Mikel told DAZN.
“Three good strikers competing for one position. With Delap and Joao, that competition is going to push the players to go extra hard.
“But I still think Jackson has a big part to play, he just needs to sort out himself in terms of discipline and what he wants to do here. But I just think with his performance here today, Joao and Delap are probably ahead of him right now.”
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