Manchester United have held advanced discussions with the representatives of Nicolas Jackson as the 24-year-old striker prepares to leave Chelsea permanently following a season-long loan at Bayern Munich. According to FootballTransfers, United's recruitment department has prioritized the Senegal international to bolster an attack that has struggled for consistency under Michael Carrick. Bayern Munich sporting director Max Eberl confirmed Jackson will leave the Bavarian club this summer after they declined to trigger a €65 million (£56.3 million) purchase option. While Gianluca Di Marzio reports Chelsea may accept €50 million, other sources suggest the London club is holding out for €70 million (£60 million) to facilitate a sale for a player contracted at Stamford Bridge until June 2033.
United search for Benjamin Sesko support
The move for Jackson marks a shift in United's strategy to find a proven Premier League profile to share the workload with Benjamin Sesko. United spent heavily on Sesko in 2025, but the Slovenian forward has endured a turbulent start to his career at Old Trafford. Jackson, who scored 10 goals in approximately 1,150 minutes of football at Bayern mainly as a deputy to Harry Kane, offers the tactical flexibility and physicality Dan Ashworth and Jason Wilcox have coveted since placing him on their shortlist last summer. Despite Jackson's history of disciplinary issues during his first stint in England, his output in Germany—averaging a goal every 115 minutes—has convinced United's hierarchy that he is a viable solution for a frontline needing more reliable depth.
Chelsea’s squad surplus and financial pressures
Chelsea are eager to crystallize a sale for Jackson to manage their ongoing PSR compliance and streamline a bloated attacking department. Following the 2025 arrivals of Liam Delap and Joao Pedro, Jackson is considered surplus to requirements by the Chelsea leadership. The club is in a strong negotiating position due to the length of Jackson's contract, which has nine years remaining, but the lack of a permanent suitor in Munich has forced them to engage with domestic rivals. While AC Milan and other Serie A clubs are reportedly monitoring the situation, United's early movement with the player’s camp suggests they are currently the frontrunners. A deal at the €60 million mark would represent a slight loss on the total package Bayern would have paid, but it provides Chelsea with immediate liquidity for their summer window.
Negotiations are expected to continue as United attempt to bridge the €20 million gap between Di Marzio's reported valuation and Chelsea's public asking price.