Chelsea have placed a €70 million (£60m) valuation on striker Nicolas Jackson as he prepares to return to the club following a loan spell at Bayern Munich, according to reports. The 24-year-old Senegal international will head back to Stamford Bridge this summer after Bayern decided against triggering a €65m option to buy clause included in his temporary deal.
Jackson spent the 2025-26 season with the Bundesliga side, scoring 10 goals in 30 appearances across all competitions. However, he was largely used as a backup to Harry Kane, amassing just 1,152 minutes of playing time and seeing limited involvement in the latter stages of the Champions League. His departure from Chelsea last summer came after the club signed forwards Joao Pedro and Liam Delap, with Bayern eventually winning the race for his loan signature amid interest from Aston Villa, Manchester United, and Newcastle United.
The Athletic reports that Chelsea believe Jackson's market value has held firm at €70m despite his bit-part role in Germany. The club is expected to wait until appointing a permanent successor to manager Enzo Maresca before making a definitive decision on the player's future. Jackson still has seven years remaining on the contract he signed when joining from Villarreal in 2023, giving Chelsea a strong negotiating position.
Potential suitors have already begun to circle, with Juventus and Newcastle United linked with a move in recent days. Chelsea's options are to reintegrate Jackson into their first-team squad, sanction another loan departure, or sell him permanently if their valuation is met. During his initial two-year spell at Chelsea, Jackson scored 30 goals in 81 games, often leading the line as the primary striker.
The context of Chelsea's attacking roster adds a layer of complexity to the decision. Joao Pedro has performed adequately in his debut season, but Liam Delap has struggled, scoring just once in the Premier League. Another forward, Emmanuel Emegha, is set to arrive from Strasbourg in July, but may not be considered ready for immediate regular duty. This could open a pathway for Jackson to compete for a place, especially given his ability to also operate on the left wing.
Jackson's relationship with former boss Maresca was reportedly a factor in his exit last summer, meaning a fresh start under new management could be beneficial for both player and club. Chelsea's substantial asking price reflects both the remaining length of his contract and their assessment of his potential, setting the stage for a pivotal summer regarding his career.
