Chelsea ‘target transfer for Villarreal striker Nicolas Jackson’ but face competition to trigger £30m release clause
CHELSEA are tracking Villareal forward Nicolas Jackson, according to reports.
The 21-year-old striker is attracting interest from across Europe and Chelsea would face competition from AC Milan and RB Leipzig for his signature.
Nizaar Kinsella in the Evening Standard reports that the striker has a £30million release clause and is seen as a cheaper alternative should Chelsea fail in their pursuit of Victor Osimhen.
Incoming Chelsea head coach Mauricio Pochettino is a big fan of the 21-year-old Senegalese international who ended the LaLiga season in blistering fashion.
Jackson scored nine goals in his final eight LaLiga games as part of a season that saw him score 13 and assist five times in 38 appearances.
Chelsea representatives met last week to discuss making a move for the young forward.
The Blues’ hierarchy have widened their net as they search for a new number nine amid reports that Napoli‘s Osimhen, 24, would cost £100m to prise away from Italy.
The club will also consider Atalanta’s Rasmus Hojlund, 20, and Juventus’ Dusan Vlahovic, 23, who are both rated as £65m players according to the Evening Standard.
Chelsea will have to operate cautiously in this window with the club on a UEFA watchlist due to their £600m spending since Todd Boehly‘s takeover.
The club have already agreed to sign RB Leipzig forward Christopher Nkunku for £50m this summer with Fabrizio Romano reporting that he will be officially announced on June 19th following his final game of the season for France.
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Chelsea are also in the market for a new goalkeeper, with Pochettino not seeing Kepa Arrizabalaga and Edouard Mendy as first choice options.
The club are looking for a new shot-stopper who is adept with the ball at his feet and have kept tabs on Brentford’s David Raya and Inter Milan’s Andre Onana.
Although it now looks as though Brentford‘s Raya is Tottenham-bound after multiple reports that the keeper has agreed personal terms with the North London club.