Chelsea Sets £60 Million Price Tag on Nicolas Jackson

Chelsea have put a £60 million price tag on Nicolas Jackson, a valuation that has not gone unnoticed across Europe but is already testing the resolve of his suitors.

Tottenham and Aston Villa are both tracking the 25-year-old striker, while Atletico Madrid are also in the conversation, according to RMC Sport. All three clubs see an opportunity. Chelsea, for once, do as well – but only on their terms.

Jackson’s future on hold

Jackson returns to Stamford Bridge off the back of a productive loan at Bayern Munich, where he scored 11 goals in 34 games last season. Bayern held a €65m (£55.5m) option to buy but walked away, leaving the door open for others.

He then featured for Senegal at the World Cup this summer, making four appearances, before rejoining Chelsea for pre-season. Now Xabi Alonso, newly in charge and tasked with reshaping the squad, has been handed the final call on Jackson’s future.

The stance is clear. Chelsea and Alonso are prepared to sell before the window closes, but only if their £60m valuation is met. That figure has already been labelled the “main obstacle” to any deal and is slowing negotiations before they can properly ignite.

The tension around his situation was underlined on Saturday. Jackson was left out of the squad entirely as Alonso’s side beat Real Sociedad 3-1 at Stamford Bridge in their final pre-season friendly, a notable omission for a player supposedly still in contention.

Spurs, Villa and Atleti circle

Tottenham’s interest comes as they continue to search for more firepower at the top of the pitch, while Aston Villa are looking to deepen a squad that will have to balance domestic and European demands. Atletico Madrid, always alert to a market opening for a mobile forward, are also monitoring developments.

All three know the profile: a forward with Champions League experience, fresh from a World Cup and still with room to grow. All three also know Chelsea’s negotiating stance rarely softens quickly.

For now, the price is holding them at arm’s length.

Welbeck in, Delap on the market

Chelsea’s willingness to cash in on Jackson sits within a broader reshaping of their attack. The club have already moved to bring in Danny Welbeck from Brighton for £5m earlier this month, adding a seasoned Premier League presence to Alonso’s options.

Liam Delap is another striker whose future lies away from west London if Chelsea get their way. The 23-year-old was also missing from the squad for the Real Sociedad friendly, with the club open to offers.

Como, managed by Cesc Fabregas and already home to former Chelsea defender Trevoh Chalobah after his move this summer, have made an approach for Delap. The Serie A side see him as a focal point for their attack.

Delap, though, is understood to favour staying in the Premier League. Chelsea, who signed him from Ipswich Town for £30m last year, are demanding £40m to sell.

So Chelsea’s summer up front is taking shape: Welbeck through the door, Jackson and Delap on the market, and Alonso intent on tightening the squad around his own ideas. The question now is simple: who blinks first on the £60m that will decide where Nicolas Jackson plays his football next?