Chelsea are set to submit a £29.8 million bid for Villareal striker Nicolas Jackson.
As reported by Fabrizio Romano, the Blues will submit the bid next week, which will match the release clause set for the striker. The club already have Villarreal of their intention to match the clause and the only matters of concern are the instalment structure and wages of the player.
The 21-year-old Senegalese forward burst onto the scene this season in La Liga by scoring 12 goals and assisting 4 more in just 26 games. A product of the Villarreal youth system, Jackson made his first-team debut in 2021 but quickly rose through the ranks to become The Yellow Submarine’s first-choice striker.
Jackson almost swapped Spain for England’s top tier earlier this year when AFC Bournemouth bid £22.5 million for him. He almost made the move, however, he failed his medical test owing to issues with his hamstring. This turned out to be a blessing in disguise as the striker came back strong to end his season by scoring 9 goals in the last 2 months of the campaign.
According to Fabrizio, there are three more clubs in the race for Jackson’s signature – all three are willing to meet his release clause – but Jackson’s heart is set on London and he’s very close to a favourable salary agreement with the club.
Ever since Boehly took over Chelsea, the club have spent a mammoth £600 million on incomings but has yet to sign a striker. With Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and Joao Felix underperforming, this is the right time for a new centre-forward to come to Stamford Bridge and mark his place at the club.
