Chelsea swoop for Nicolas Jackson from Villarreal
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Jackson impressed in La Liga last season, with 12 goals in 26 appearances.
PHOTO: REUTERS
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LONDON – Chelsea’s new-look strike force is gradually taking shape, after the Blues confirmed the signing of forward Nicolas Jackson from Villarreal on Friday.
The Senegal international has signed an eight-year deal at Stamford Bridge after impressing in the Spanish La Liga last season with 12 goals in 26 appearances.
The 22-year-old will cost a reported £32 million (S$55 million).
“We are excited to welcome Nicolas to Chelsea. He is a young player with big potential, as he showcased for Villarreal last season,” said Chelsea’s co-sporting directors Laurence Stewart and Paul Winstanley.
“We believe he is ready for this next step in his career and look forward to him working with our new head coach, Mauricio Pochettino, and his Chelsea teammates.”
The Blues have been busy in the first few weeks of the transfer window, as they were forced to move on a number of players to meet financial fair play regulations after splashing over £500 million on new signings last season.
Kai Havertz crossed London to join Arsenal, Mateo Kovacic moved to champions Manchester City, Edouard Mendy, Kalidou Koulibaly and N’Golo Kante joined the exodus of stars from Europe to Saudi Arabia, while Ruben Loftus-Cheek was the latest player to exit as he went to AC Milan on Friday.
A deal has also been agreed between Chelsea and Manchester United for the sale of Mason Mount.
Despite the departures, they have also reinforced a blunt attack with Jackson set to battle French international Christopher Nkunku for the role as Pochettino’s first-choice No. 9 next season.
Chelsea finished 12th in the English Premier League last season, their lowest placing since 1994, and will be aiming to finish at least in the Champions League spots next campaign.
Loftus-Cheek, meanwhile, has signed a four-year contract with Milan.
Financial details of the deal were not disclosed but British media reported that the 27-year-old, who joined Chelsea aged eight, was signed for an initial fee of £15 million.
“After 19 years as a Chelsea player, Ruben Loftus-Cheek has left the club and completed a permanent transfer to AC Milan,” Chelsea said in a statement.
“A dedicated professional and a friendly and popular person throughout Cobham (training ground), Loftus-Cheek departs having made 155 appearances – scoring 13 goals – and with Premier League, Europa League and Uefa Super Cup winner’s medals.”
Milan finished fourth in Serie A last season to qualify for the Champions League. Loftus-Cheek is their second close-season signing after back-up goalkeeper Marco Sportiello joined on a free transfer from Atalanta.
Elsewhere in the Premier League, United remain in discussions with goalkeeper David de Gea even as the Spaniard’s contract with the Old Trafford side expired on Friday.
De Gea, who joined United in 2011 when Alex Ferguson was manager, is the current squad’s longest-serving player, having made nearly 550 appearances for the Red Devils.
“Discussions remain open with the long-serving ’keeper,” United confirmed in a statement.
The 32-year-old won his second Premier League Golden Glove last season after he kept 17 clean sheets but the four-time club Player of the Year has come under the microscope for his shortcomings and errors in recent years.
He is the highest-paid player at the club on £375,000 a week but has not featured for Spain since 2020, and has reportedly refused to take a pay cut.
The BBC reported that de Gea is getting married this weekend and any new deal will not be signed until he resumes face-to-face talks with United.
In the meantime, United have been linked with a move for Inter Milan goalkeeper Andre Onana, who played for manager Erik ten Hag at Ajax Amsterdam.
AFP, REUTERS
