Chelsea get huge Nicolas Jackson transfer update amid £85m enquiry and Enzo Maresca stance

Chelsea appear to have fended off interest in Nicolas Jackson. Since the 24-year-old striker was shown a red card at the Club World Cup, he’s been linked with a move away from Stamford Bridge this summer.

Jackson enjoyed a promising start to the tournament in the United States, providing an assist during a 2-0 win over Los Angeles FC. In the Blues’ next clash against Flamengo, he was given his marching orders no more than five minutes after coming off the bench.

The Senegal international replaced Liam Delap shortly after Bruno Henrique equalised for the Brazilian outfit. A few moments after Jackson came on, Danilo fired Felipe Luis’ side into the lead.

Then, a couple of minutes later, the Chelsea striker was sent for an early shower after a studs-up tackle on Ayrton Lucas. Jackson, who has now been sent off twice in four matches for the Blues, was given a two-match ban.

The west Londoners have coped just fine in his absence, with Liam Delap firing Enzo Maresca’s side to a 3-0 win over ES Tunis on Tuesday evening. In the meantime, Jackson has reportedly emerged as a target for numerous clubs in Italy.

Speaking on his YouTube channel, Fabrizio Romano has provided an update on the Senegalese star’s future at Stamford Bridge. The journalist said: “What’s important to say is that I think it’s going to be complicated for Italian clubs to even approach Chelsea or Nicolas Jackson at the current conditions.

“Forget about the transfer fees you see on the Italian reports, something around €40m (£34m), €45m (£38m). Chelsea will never sit at the table for that money. When they had a call with Eintracht Frankfurt to ask about [Hugo] Ekitike, the answer was €100m (£85m).

“So, you can imagine that Chelsea will quote Nicolas Jackson, I’m not saying €100m (£85m) but, for important money. I don’t think it’s going to be enough. The budget of some Italian clubs is something like €35m (£30m), €40m (£34m) or €45m (£38m) to sign Nico Jackson, so at the moment, it’s not realistic.”

Romano added: “At the moment, we are not at that stage of the story at all. Chelsea maintain their pricing for Nicolas Jackson. Chelsea are in a strong position with a long contract, extended less than one year ago. So, at the moment, it’s not something imminent with Italian clubs at all.”

While Chelsea are still in the market for a new striker, Nicolas Jackson doesn’t necessarily face an uncertain future at Stamford Bridge. football.london understands that the Blues are not planning to sell the 24-year-old, who they signed from Villarreal in 2023 for £30m.

The west Londoners are pleased with how Jackson has developed, and they’re planning for the new season with him in the squad. It’s understood that the Senegalese ace has attracted interest from Premier League clubs, as well as overseas, with Napoli known to be keen.

Maresca wants at least two strikers competing for a place in the starting lineup next term. As it stands, the Italian has Jackson, Delap and Marc Guiu, who showed great promise before picking up an injury earlier this season.