Chelsea make final transfer decision with £56m star told his career is ‘over’

Chelsea make final transfer decision with £56m star told his career is ‘over’ Louis Sealey Published December 1, 2025 11:34pm Updated December 1, 2025 11:34pm Share this article via whatsappShare this article via xCopy the link to this article.Link is copiedShare this article via facebook Comment now Comments Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca (Picture: Getty)

Chelsea have already decided to sell Nicolas Jackson even though he is due to return to Stamford Bridge after failing to activate a permanent move to Bayern Munich.

Bundesliga champions Bayern paid a staggering loan fee of £14m to secure Jackson’s services for the duration of the 2025-26 season.

As part of the deal, Bayern agreed to sign Jackson on a permanent transfer for a further £56m – should he play a certain number of matches.

It was initially unclear how many games Jackson would need to play to secure a permanent move to the Allianz Arena but club president Uli Hoeness revealed in September that the figure was 40 starts.

Jackson has made 15 appearances for Bayern this season – scoring five goals – but his impending involvement in the Africa Cup of Nations means he can no longer reach the matches requires to activate the permanent transfer.

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That means the 24-year-old, who completed a £32m move to Chelsea in 2023, is due for an awkward return to Stamford Bridge at the end of the season.

But Chelsea have reportedly made it clear to Jackson that his time at the club is ‘over’ and will sanction his permanent exit next summer.

Bayern Munich signed Nicolas Jackson on loan from Chelsea (Picture: Getty)

Fabrizio Romano says Jackson will not be part of Chelsea’s first-team plans going forward and that the Senegal international respects and agrees with the decision.

Chelsea will therefore hope to reach a new agreement with Bayern to allow Jackson to extend his spell in Munich.

It is claimed Chelsea will give the Bundesliga leaders the chance to sign Jackson for the previously agreed £56m, with Bayern set to wait until next summer to make their final decision.

Mauricio Pochettino signed Jackson in 2023 (Picture: Getty)

Vincent Kompany is satisfied with Jackson’s contributions for a Bayern team eight points clear in the Bundesliga and third in the Champions League.

But £56m would represent a significant outlay for a player who has never been a prolific goalscorer and is essentially back-up to England captain Harry Kane.

If Bayern decide not to sign Jackson, Chelsea will look at other options in the transfer market, with clubs in Italy reportedly eyeing his situation.

Jackson also attracted interest from fellow Premier League clubs last summer, with Aston Villa boss Unai Emery a known admirer having managed him at Villarreal.

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Chelsea put Jackson up for sale after signing Joao Pedro and Liam Delap last summer and the Senegalese star was keen to join Bayern Munich.

The Blues considered blocking Jackson’s move to Bayern after Delap suffered an injury setback but eventually sanction the proposed loan-to-buy transfer.

Discussing his departure from Chelsea, Jackson said: ‘I was simply very happy to sign for one of the biggest clubs in the world, to discover another league and other great players.

‘At the same time, I was a little sad to leave Chelsea, my teammates, and the fans. I experienced so many strong emotions there: we won the Conference League and the Club World Cup.

Bayern Munich manager Vincent Kompany (Picture: Getty)

‘Now I’m 100% focused on my new project and I can’t wait to experience the incredible atmosphere at the Allianz Arena.’

While Jackson frustrated in front of goal while wearing a Chelsea shirt, a number of pundits were surprised the Premier League club allowed him to leave.

‘I think Nicolas Jackson was a bad sale, I really do,’ former Arsenal and England winger Paul Merson, who supports Chelsea, said.

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‘I thought Jackson made Palmer and Palmer made Jackson. As a midfield player, you love to pass the ball so you love pace up front, it’s a dream.

‘Jackson is not the best finisher but he will have his days. I thought that was a bad loan.’

But Chelsea have coped well with Jackson’s exit, climbing up to third in the Premier League and largely impressive in the Champions League, sitting seventh after five games.

Enzo Maresca’s side drew 1-1 with Premier League leaders Arsenal on Sunday despite losing influential midfielder Moises Caicedo to a straight red card.

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