Bayern Munich will not activate the €65 million (£56.3 million) permanent purchase option for Chelsea forward Nicolas Jackson, despite the 24-year-old scoring 10 goals during his season-long loan in Germany. Speaking on ZDF's 'Sportstudio', Bayern Board Member for Sport Max Eberl confirmed that the Bundesliga giants will allow the Senegalese international to return to London in June 2026. Jackson, who remains under contract at Stamford Bridge until 2033, failed to meet the specific appearance threshold that would have triggered a mandatory transfer, having spent much of the campaign as a secondary option to Harry Kane.
Eberl confirms Jackson departure plan
According to reports in Germany, Bayern's decision concludes a season where they paid an initial €16.5 million loan fee for the striker's services. While Jackson found form late in the campaign—scoring in three consecutive matches including a recent strike against Mainz—the club have opted against the significant permanent outlay. "We will not activate the permanent transfer clause for Jackson," Eberl stated during his appearance on ZDF. "We don’t have to exercise the option because he hasn’t reached the required number of appearances. In any case, we won’t be exercising that option." The decision leaves Jackson returning to a Chelsea squad currently in a state of transition following the recent sacking of manager Liam Rosenior.
Squad implications for Chelsea's summer
Jackson's return presents an immediate challenge for Chelsea's incoming leadership as they manage a bloated attacking roster. The forward signed a massive nine-year contract extension in September 2024, meaning he remains a long-term fixture on the club's wage bill regardless of his standing in the first-team. His 10-goal return in 29 appearances for Bayern compares favourably to the output of £30 million summer signing Liam Delap, who has struggled for consistency at Stamford Bridge this term. With the club needing to balance Profit and Sustainability Rules (PSR) after heavy spending in previous windows, Jackson's £56.3 million valuation would have provided significant financial relief; his return instead forces Chelsea to either reintegrate him into the squad or find a new suitor in a market where few clubs can match his existing long-term terms.
The striker is expected to report for pre-season training at Cobham following the conclusion of the Bundesliga season.