Nicolas Jackson hopes to revive Bayern move after Chelsea halt loan deal

LONDON – Chelsea striker Nicolas Jackson has stayed in Germany in a bid to revive his aborted loan move to Bayern Munich after the deal was called off at the last minute.

Jackson flew to Munich on Aug 30 to seal his season-long switch to the Bundesliga champions, only to be told the move had to be aborted due to Chelsea’s injury problems.

Blues striker Liam Delap will be sidelined for up to eight weeks after suffering a hamstring problem in the 2-0 win over Fulham on Aug 30, while England midfielder Cole Palmer is also out due to a groin injury.

With Christopher Nkunku having joined AC Milan this week, Chelsea boss Enzo Maresca would be left with Joao Pedro as his only fit senior striker if Jackson were allowed to leave.

Speaking after a 3-2 win at Augsburg on Aug 30, Bayern sporting director Max Eberl confirmed that the deal was off.

“Chelsea informed us that they would like the player back after we agreed yesterday,” he said.

“The situation now is that the lad is here in Munich, but we are sending him back.”

But Jackson, 24, was angry with Chelsea’s late change of plans and opted against leaving Germany on Aug 31 while his representatives work to resolve the stand-off.

Jackson’s agent Diomansy Kamara had insisted on social media that his player was not returning to Chelsea.“We’re not going back. The plane doesn’t go backwards: Munich,” he said.

Speaking at a hotel in Munich on the same day, Kamara told German newspaper Bild: “We’re still hoping it will work.

“If we didn’t have hope, we wouldn’t still be here any more!”

Meanwhile, Chelsea are reportedly exploring a move for Sporting Lisbon’s Conrad Harder before the Sept 1 transfer deadline, which could open the way for Jackson to join Bayern after all.

Chelsea are reported to prefer selling Jackson on a permanent basis rather than reviving a loan deal.

Earlier on Aug 30, a deal had been agreed that would have seen the Senegal striker move for an initial £13 million (S$22.5 million) loan fee with an option for Bayern to make the deal permanent for £52 million.

Jackson, who has not played for Chelsea this season, had been told that he was not a part of Maresca’s plans following the signings of Delap from Ipswich Town and Pedro from Brighton & Hove Albion.

He has endured a turbulent time at Chelsea since joining from Villarreal in 2023, with criticism of his erratic finishing marring his spell in west London.

Separately, Brentford forward Yoane Wissa said on Aug 31 that the Premier League club have failed to fulfil their commitment to allow him to leave this summer, amid reported interest from Newcastle United.

The 28-year-old Democratic Republic of Congo international, who bagged 20 goals across all competitions for Brentford last campaign, has not featured for the London club this season amid uncertainty over his future.

His Brentford contract expires in June 2026.

“I have stayed silent for much of the summer but with just hours remaining of the transfer window I feel compelled to make it clear that I want to leave Brentford,” Wissa posted on social media. “I believe the club are unduly standing in my way despite a series of fair offers throughout the summer.

“Earlier this summer, I held open discussions with the club’s senior management, including key directors and the new head coach. I made clear my intention to explore a new challenge.

“During these conversations, it was confirmed to me and my representatives that the club would not stand in my way if a reasonable offer was received. This was also put in writing.

“Based on this understanding, I sought to find a new club, keeping Brentford informed with full transparency at every step.”

British media reported that Brentford rejected two bids from Newcastle for Wissa, the latest offer believed to be worth around £35 million, plus £5 million in add-ons. AFP, REUTERS