Chelsea are closing in on their second signing of the summer, with reports suggesting that the club has triggered Nicolas Jackson’s release clause. The Blues are set to pay £30million to secure the Villarreal striker, according to Fabrizio Romano. This move comes after Chelsea agreed on personal terms with the 21-year-old.
Who is Nicolas Jackson?
Nicolas Jackson is a Senegalese striker who made his international debut in November. He has scored 12 goals and added four assists from 26 games in the Spanish top flight. Jackson also holds a noteworthy Expected Goals overperformance of 4.0, which is higher than Chelsea’s top league scorer Kai Havertz’s underperformance of -4.6.
Why is Chelsea interested in Nicolas Jackson?
Chelsea is embarking on a summer clear-out that is likely to see a number of senior stars such as N’Golo Kante and Mason Mount leave the club. This began with the release of the Blues’ retained list, which saw £40m flop Tiemoue Bakayoko let go. With these departures, Chelsea needs to bolster its squad with fresh talent.
Jackson’s arrival is likely due to reports linking Havertz with a transfer to Arsenal. Chelsea needs to fill the void left by Havertz’s potential departure, and Jackson could be an excellent addition to the squad.
What does this mean for Chelsea?
Jackson’s signing will be a significant boost for Chelsea’s attacking options. The La Liga star’s contract will reportedly be in line with previous contracts dished out by Chelsea, which means it will be more than five years long.
Chelsea is also set to win the race for Moises Caicedo, with Brighton said to be in “final discussions” over the move. The club has also sealed a deal for RB Leipzig’s Christopher Nkunku. These signings will provide much-needed depth to Chelsea’s squad ahead of the new season.
What are the challenges?
According to Romano’s report, Mauricio Pochettino’s outfit will still face competition from three clubs to get the deal over the line. However, Jackson is said to want a move to the Premier League, giving Chelsea a vital edge.
Conclusion
Chelsea is closing in on its second signing of the summer, with reports suggesting that the club has triggered Nicolas Jackson’s release clause. The Blues are set to pay £30million to secure the Villarreal striker, according to Fabrizio Romano. Jackson’s arrival will be a significant boost for Chelsea’s attacking options, especially with the potential departure of Kai Havertz. The club is also set to sign Moises Caicedo and Christopher Nkunku, providing much-needed depth to its squad. While there is still competition from other clubs, Jackson’s desire to move to the Premier League gives Chelsea a vital edge.