Chelsea have already make it clear to Manchester United, if they want Nicolas Jackson this summer, it won't come cheap. That much is clear.
The club isn’t desperate to offload him, but they wouldn’t turn down a major offer either.
That’s according to Fabrizio Romano, speaking on his YouTube channel, who said Chelsea “have informed Manchester United on conditions of deal for Nicolas Jackson” and emphasized that “Chelsea are not desperate to sell the striker” .
Meanwhile, Jackson himself is reportedly unhappy at Stamford Bridge.
Last season he was Chelsea’s top striker, but now, with the high‑profile arrivals of João Pedro and Liam Delap, he looks like he may be behind them in the pecking order.
Journalist Pete O’Rourke told the Inside Track podcast that Jackson “could find himself as third choice now … and from what I’m told, he is not happy with that situation.”
Two developments come together here. Chelsea is sending a message that they’re open to offers but will demand a serious bid while Jackson is unsettled and could push for an exit if he sees limited playing time.
Why United Are Eyeing Jackson and What Could Happen at Old Trafford
Manchester United are still finalizing the deal for Bryan Mbeumo from Brentford, a £65 million move widely reported, though some sources reference closer to £71m. That deal, once wrapped up, will free up funds and squad space to target another striker.
United’s goal drought last season, just 44 Premier League goals, their lowest since 1973‑74 means signing another natural number nine is a priority.
United have also signed Matheus Cunha already and are assessing various striker options. Nicolas Jackson is on their radar partly because he has Premier League experience and a decent goals record: 10 Premier League goals and 5 assists last season, plus contributions in Chelsea’s Europa Conference League run.
He’s also scored 30 goals in 81 appearances for Chelsea across all competitions since joining from Villarreal in 2023 .
Sources say United haven’t closed on Jackson yet. They’re still discussing striker priorities internally including whether to pursue Benjamin Sesko of RB Leipzig instead but Jackson remains among the names under serious consideration.
Chelsea Hold the Cards, But Jackson May Press for Exit
Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca still rates Jackson, he didn’t bring him in to simply bench him. But after bringing in João Pedro for around £60m and Liam Delap for roughly £30m, their forward line is crowded.
The club already sees Pedro as a ready starter, they even played him in the Club World Cup final where he scored against PSG.
Jackson’s own recent red card and disciplinary issues don’t help his cause. He was sent off in the Club World Cup semi-final and picked up another straight red in a Premier League match.
That has contributed to speculation about his long-term place in the squad.
Still, Chelsea have said publicly they aren’t in a hurry. They extended Jackson’s contract until 2033 and haven’t indicated a forced sale. That means they would only consider serious offers some reports suggest they’re holding out for a figure around £100 million, though others put the realistic number closer to £60‑70m.
Other Clubs Watching: Villa, Milan, Barcelona
United aren’t alone. Aston Villa also have interest. Unai Emery, who handled Jackson during his time at Villarreal, is reportedly keen, and Villa are looking to add competition for Ollie Watkins in attack.
AC Milan have also been linked, but they reportedly balk at Chelsea’s valuation, they’re not ready to spend that much. They may still keep tabs, but their pursuit looks less serious now.
There’s even talk that Barcelona have quietly explored Jackson as a cheaper attacking option, something possible because he may be open to a new challenge. But nothing has moved forward, and any move to Camp Nou seems unlikely given Chelsea’s position and financial demands.
What Fans and Experts are Saying: Mixed Views
On social media and football forums, opinions are divided. Former Arsenal midfielder Ray Parlour warned that Jackson might not fit in the big money bracket:
“He can’t finish... he needs a lot of chances to score,” while Alan Brazil echoed concerns about inconsistency in front of goal.
Meanwhile, Roman fans on reddit have shown patience with Jackson's development. One comment read:
“We have a ton of wild talent that needs to be harnessed and honed… Once they learn and grow together, the sky’s the limit.”
Others were more harsh:
“Preseason is just training sessions... he’s not built / wired for that role in this league… he doesn’t need time; he needs a new position or club.”
It reflects a split. Some see Jackson as raw talent needing more refining under Maresca’s system. Others think his style suits United’s need for a physical, direct striker, especially compared to their existing choices like Højlund or Zirkzee, who both struggled last season.
Is a Swap Deal Realistic? The Garnacho Angle
One of the more talked‑about ideas is a player swap.
United sending Alejandro Garnacho to Chelsea in exchange for Jackson, possibly plus cash.
Garnacho has reportedly instructed United he wants out, and Chelsea see him as an exciting winger who could thrive in their system.
It looks like both clubs could benefit: United clear a fringe player who wants away, Chelsea fill a gap on the wing. But analysts have questioned if it makes strategic sense for United.
Stadium Rant’s Fahad Hamid called it more "panicked than strategic," arguing that trading a young academy star for a striker with disciplinary issues doesn’t align with United’s long‑term planning.
Plus, financial rules might make a clean cash deal preferable to a swap.
Swapping one player for another doesn’t clear the books in the same way and complicates United’s efforts to comply with PSR.
How Much Would Jackson Actually Cost?
The reports vary. Some outlets claim Chelsea value Jackson as high as £100m, particularly after their recent spending spree in attack.
But more cautious estimates from insiders suggest £60‑70m is closer to reality if United or another club is willing to come to the table.
United currently aim to first clear players like Rashford, Sancho, Antony, Malacia, and Garnacho, some of them want to leave. That would free up the necessary funds to pursue someone like Jackson or potentially Sesko, who is also on their wishlist.
So What Happens Next and Why Does It Matters
If United can sell unwanted players and complete the Mbeumo deal, they’ll have both urgency and capacity to move on a new No.9. Jackson would bring Premier League experience, physicality, and despite criticism, some proven goal output. In contrast, Sesko is younger but unproven in England.
For Chelsea, letting Jackson go would raise funds to help offload other players and balance the squad they already added Pedro, Delap, Gittens, and possibly more.
If they cash in, it helps their business model while keeping depth elsewhere.
For Jackson himself, it's clear: he wants to play regularly. If Maresca’s plans don’t include him as a starter, a move makes sense. And Premier League proven strikers command high prices, Chelsea aren’t going to settle unless they get major commitment.
Wanderlustsport Verdict
So here’s where things stand. Chelsea have made it clear to Manchester United that they’re not in a rush to sell Nicolas Jackson, but they would consider it if the offer is big enough.
They’re not going to let him go on the cheap, especially after recently investing in their attack with players like João Pedro and Liam Delap.
From Jackson’s side, he’s not exactly thrilled with how things are shaping up at Stamford Bridge. He was the main striker last season, but now he’s probably looking at being third choice. That’s unfair. He hasn’t come out and said anything, but people close to the club say he’s not happy.
Last season he was starting almost every weeks. Now, with new strikers coming in, he’s probably thinking he’s not first choice anymore. And let’s be honest at 23, he’s not going to want to sit on the bench. He wants to play, simple as that.
If he doesn’t see that happening at Chelsea, then he’s probably looking for a way out.
United, on their side, are still trying to figure out what to do about their striker situation. They’ve just about sorted the Mbeumo deal, and once that’s done, they’ll focus on getting a proper number nine in.
Jackson’s name is being talked about, but he’s not the only one. They’re also looking at Sesko. Some inside the club like Jackson because he knows the league. Others prefer Sesko because he’s younger and has room to grow. They haven’t made a final decision yet.
There’s also interest in Jackson from elsewhere. Aston Villa and AC Milan have both been linked.
Villa could be a natural fit given Unai Emery’s past with him at Villarreal, while Milan are said to be keen but aren’t ready to match Chelsea’s asking price. And though there have been whispers about Barcelona showing some interest, it’s not something that looks likely right now.
One of the more interesting twists is the talk of a possible swap deal involving Alejandro Garnacho. It’s still just speculation, but it shows how fluid this situation is.
Chelsea reportedly admire Garnacho, and if United do decide he’s expendable, it could help both clubs find a solution. Still, there are questions about whether that kind of move would actually benefit United long-term.
As for the money, it’s anyone’s guess at this point. Some reports claim Chelsea want up to £100 million, which feels a bit ambitious.
Others suggest something in the £60–70 million range might get the job done if the buyer is serious. Whatever the number, Chelsea will want to feel like they’re not losing value.
For now, it’s all about timing. If Jackson keeps slipping down the pecking order and United get their house in order, don’t be surprised if this one heats up fast.
The next few weeks could be key in deciding whether Jackson stays to fight for his place or heads off to start fresh somewhere new.