Nicolas Jackson has told Chelsea he wants to leave the club, with Newcastle United emerging as frontrunners for his signature. The 24-year-old Senegal striker missed Friday’s friendly against Bayer Leverkusen and is understood to have trained alone after informing the club of his desire to move on.
Jackson, signed from Villarreal for £32m in 2023, has slipped down the pecking order following the arrivals of Liam Delap and João Pedro. Chelsea had valued him at £80m but are expected to accept around £65m as they push to reshape their attack with RB Leipzig’s Xavi Simons and Manchester United’s Alejandro Garnacho.
Newcastle are also targeting Brentford’s Yoane Wissa after missing out on Benjamin Sesko, who is set to join Manchester United. Wissa, like Jackson, was left out of his club’s friendly on Friday after asking to leave.
Chelsea boss Enzo Maresca admitted Jackson could depart this month:
“When the transfer window is open, anything can happen. We’ve brought in João and Liam, so we’ll see what happens with Nico.”
Talks between Chelsea and United over Garnacho have begun, with personal terms agreed, but the Blues are unwilling to meet the £50m valuation. Chelsea are also closing in on Simons, who has agreed personal terms despite Bayern Munich’s interest.
Meanwhile, 18-year-old Estêvão marked his Stamford Bridge debut with a goal in Chelsea’s 2-0 win over Leverkusen, a year after his £52m move from Palmeiras was agreed.
