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Superagent makes big confession over €80m Chelsea deal
Tom Weber
- 19 Sept 2025 18:15 BST
- 5 min read
News
Superagent Ali Barat has admitted that he thought Nicolas Jackson's move from Chelsea to Bayern would collapse at the last minute.
The Senegal international completed a late-window move to Munich in the summer, but his transfer was not without controversy. On the contrary, this deal is still being discussed weeks after it was completed.
Despite having been Chelsea's starting striker the previous two seasons, Jackson was forced out of the club. A permanent exit did not materialise due to the Blues' hefty asking price, forcing them to settle for an initial loan.
Current ETV
Nicolas Jackson
F (C)
Bayern
Nicolas Jackson
F (C)
Bayern
ETV Range
€58.8M - €71.9M
A deal was agreed with Bayern, and everything appeared to be going smoothly, with the player flying to Germany to complete his medical and sign his contract. However, shortly after his arrival, Jackson was ordered to return to London.
Liam Delap had suffered a long-term injury, and Chelsea, feeling that they didn't have adequate cover, opted to cancel the deal. The player, however, refused to head back as he had his heart set on joining Bayern.
Barat makes Jackson confession
Ultimately, Chelsea recalled Marc Guiu from Sunderland instead and renegotiated the Jackson deal. Bayern agreed to increase their loan fee from €15 million to €16.5m, and their purchase option was transformed into a conditional obligation.
This obligation will be triggered if Jackson starts 40 games for Bayern, which honorary president Uli Hoeness has already claimed won't happen. Nevertheless, the Bundesliga champions could still sign Jackson next summer.
Superagent Ali Barat, who was crucial in getting this deal over the line, has now spoken about this ordeal in an interview with RMC, admitting that he thought the move would collapse.
"You know, football is really unpredictable," he said. "These things happen all the time. I would say the most important thing is to stay calm, not to get too emotional. There are always unexpected parameters.
"For Nico, the key was always his will. He wanted Bayern, and our role was to protect that wish and make sure it was respected, even if obstacles arose along the way. Did I think it would collapse? Yes, for a short while I doubted it.
"But in football, you have to be patient, calm, and persistent to find solutions. And beyond the player's opinion, you also have to take into account that of the clubs because obviously, the clubs' needs also play an important role in all of this.
When quizzed about a potential permanent transfer next summer, Barat said: "You know, it's a long season. They have a mandatory purchase clause if he plays 40 games, but they also have a €65m option.
"So I think if Nico performs this season, given the current market price for strikers, at €65m in my opinion, they should buy him. Again, it all depends on how Jackson fits in and performs. But with the potential he has, I don't think they'll have a problem paying the €65m at the end of the summer."
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