Chelsea are now close to signing Tottenham target Nicolas Jackson after the Senegal international underwent a successful medical in London.
That is according to David Ornstein of The Athletic.
So, what are the details involving Nicolas Jackson and Chelsea? Let’s take a look…
What’s the story?
Well, it was The Sun who claimed that Spurs were considering a bid for the Villarreal No.15 this summer.
However, Tottenham’s London rivals Chelsea now look set to announce Jackson’s arrival ahead of the north Londoners, after flying him into the United Kingdom for medical examinations.
The 22-year-old had already agreed personal terms over a contract with the Blues, after Chelsea triggered his €35m (£30m) release clause.
In fact, the Blues are actually paying a little bit more on top of that figure – according to Sky Sports.
It is said that Villarreal wanted the entire release clause paid upfront, although Chelsea have decided to offer the Spanish side a bit more in order to pay the sum across a number of instalments.
That is presumably to help with Financial Fair Play regulations.
With Jackson’s contract finalised, a fee agreed and now a medical successfully completed, Chelsea should announce the deal very soon.
After Ornstein broke the initial story about the medical, Fabrizio Romano has confirmed that the striker will sign an eight-year contract.
Chelsea warned about Nicolas Jackson
It remains to be seen if Jackson arrives as Mauricio Pochettino’s outright No.9 for the 2023/24 campaign, or whether he is joining merely to beef up squad depth.
If the Senegalese wonderkid is being signed as a starter, then European football expert Kevin Hatchard has a warning for the Blues.
Speaking to talkSPORT, he said: “He has been very, very good for Villarreal in the last few months… but he hasn’t had a long track record at senior level and you are asking him a lot to make that jump up to the Premier League.
“Does he have the skill set? Certainly. He is somebody who can run in behind. He is quick, but he can drop and link the play as well.
“He is just over 6ft, so he is somebody that can compete in the air too. He has a lot to learn. If you bring him in as a squad player, then he is somebody who can compete, it makes sense, but if you are saying ‘right, you are our new centre-forward’, then that’s a bit of a risk.”
It will certainly be a huge step up for Jackson, but those inside Stamford Bridge clearly believe he is capable of becoming a success at Chelsea.
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