Chelsea Has An Astonishing Price Tag On Nicolas Jackson

Chelsea has made their stance very clear regarding Nicolas Jackson: If you want him, be prepared to pay big. This week’s reports suggest the Blues have set a jaw-dropping price tag of £100 million on the Senegalese forward. That figure isn’t just designed to scare off suitors; it reflects how highly they rate the 24-year-old, despite what was, by many standards, a very underwhelming season.

Valued Like a Crown Jewel, Not a Surplus Striker

Interest in Jackson has been steadily growing, and it’s not just coming from the Premier League. European heavyweights and clubs in Saudi Arabia have started to circle, with Manchester United monitoring his situation closely. According to Sky Sports, Chelsea aren’t in a rush to sell. Unless a club is ready to stump up £80–100 million, they might not even bother picking up the phone.

Chelsea’s valuation isn’t random. They’re looking around at the current market, especially the £79 million Liverpool spent on Hugo Ekitike, and saying, “Why not Jackson?” After all, he’s young, athletic, tied to a long-term deal that runs until 2033, and already has 30 goals and 12 assists in 81 games for the club. It’s easy to see why they feel they’re in a position of strength.

Internally, Chelsea isn’t acting like a club that needs to sell. Their books are relatively stable, and this summer’s focus has been more strategic upgrades than a mass clear-out. While some thought the star forward might be moved on following the arrivals of Joao Pedro and Liam Delap, that now seems less likely, at least not for a cut-price fee. The new competition in attack might be pushing Jackson to sharpen his game even further rather than pushing him out.

United’s Interest Is Real, But Complicated

As for Manchester United, there is genuine interest. The club has reportedly already entered discussions with Jackson’s camp, but their pursuit isn’t straightforward. They’re in a financial juggling act of their own. With Profit and Sustainability Rules to worry about and a squad that still includes a handful of high-wage, low-impact players, United need to sell before they can think seriously about splashing out.

One solution that’s been floated is a player-plus-cash deal, with names like Alejandro Garnacho being linked. Even then, Chelsea are said to be holding firm. The simple message is that the right-footed striker is a £100 million player. If United can’t meet that, the Blues won’t engage.

What complicates things further is that United aren’t the only ones keen. Aston Villa, managed by Unai Emery, who knows Jackson well from their time at Villarreal, are also reportedly keeping tabs. So are AC Milan, although Chelsea’s hefty valuation may be a little too steep for the Italian giants.

A Player Still Finding His Rhythm

Jackson’s numbers at Chelsea aren’t anything to scoff at. In 81 appearances, including 70 starts, he’s hit 30 goals and delivered 12 assists. That’s a solid return, especially considering he only arrived at Stamford Bridge in 2023 and has had to adapt to a physically demanding league and a club that has seen its fair share of ups and downs over the last few seasons.

The end of last season didn’t go exactly as he would’ve liked. He lost his place in the starting XI, now, particularly after Joao Pedro’s impressive run during Chelsea’s Club World Cup triumph, it’s difficult that he’ll start next season. Maresca has gone as far as calling him “the perfect No.9,” high praise from a coach who values intelligent movement and clinical finishing.

Chelsea will return to training soon following their brief summer break, and a lot could change between now and the start of the season. Jackson still has a chance to prove he deserves to lead the line when the Blues open their Premier League campaign against Crystal Palace on August 17.

Final Thoughts

With just under two months until the season kicks off, the big question is whether Chelsea is truly serious about keeping Jackson or if they’re simply trying to drive up the price. Either way, they’ve set the bar incredibly high.

The club’s asking price sends a clear message to potential buyers: Jackson isn’t just some backup striker to be poached on the cheap. He’s a central figure in their long-term plans, and if anyone wants to pry him away, they’ll have to break the bank. Whether United or anyone else will do that remains to be seen.