Nicolas Jackson is set to return to Chelsea this summer after Bayern Munich confirmed they will not activate a €65 million option to make his loan move permanent. The 24-year-old striker spent the 2025-26 season in Germany, having joined Bayern on a temporary deal that included a €16.5 million loan fee. Jackson still has seven years remaining on his contract with the Premier League club, which now faces a significant decision regarding his future.
According to Sky Sport Germany reporter Florian Plettenberg, Juventus are interested in a potential loan deal for the Senegalese international, while AC Milan are also monitoring the situation. Several Premier League clubs, including Aston Villa, Newcastle United, and Everton, have also been linked with Jackson, providing Chelsea with multiple potential avenues should they decide to sell. The club is believed to prefer a permanent sale to raise funds, especially if they receive an offer exceeding his €54.4 million Expected Transfer Value, as they are likely to miss out on Champions League football next season.
Jackson initially joined Chelsea from Villarreal in 2023 for a fee of €37 million and was a regular starter in his debut campaign. However, the arrivals of Liam Delap and Joao Pedro last summer prompted Chelsea to inform him he had no future at Stamford Bridge, leading to his deadline-day loan to Bayern. Relations were strained when Chelsea attempted to cancel the move following an injury to Delap, but Jackson insisted on the transfer. At Bayern, he was primarily a backup to Harry Kane, making ten Bundesliga starts and scoring seven goals across 20 total appearances.
The future of Chelsea's managerial position could play a pivotal role in Jackson's situation. The club is in talks to appoint Andoni Iraola, who publicly admired Jackson in 2023 while the striker was at Villarreal. Iraola, then managing Rayo Vallecano, highlighted Jackson's speed, ability in one-on-one situations, and capacity to create chances. His potential appointment could see Jackson reintegrated as a squad option, particularly with Delap expected to be moved on after a difficult first season.
Chelsea have not yet made a final decision on Jackson's future and will assess the situation upon his return to the club's training base. Jackson himself is reportedly open to staying at Stamford Bridge, but the volume of expected interest may force the club's hand. His return adds another layer to a critical summer for Chelsea as they look to reshape their squad under a new manager and without the financial boost of Europe's premier competition.
