Chelsea wants to sign Jackson to two-year extension
Jackson, who scored 14 Premier League goals last season, could stay in Chelsea until 2033.
LONDON — Chelsea wants to tie star striker Nicolas Jackson to a two-year extension to keep him in London until 2033. Jackson, who scored 17 goals and six assists in 44 appearances, led the line for Chelsea throughout the season. The Senegal striker suffered a serious sprained ankle while on international duty and is doubtful about playing in Chelsea’s Sunday matchup against City.
Jackson signed for Chelsea from Villarreal for around $41 million at the start of the season, meant to address the departures of Joao Felix and Kai Havertz. Despite criticism surrounding his finishing, Jackson finished with the second-most goals in the team, only behind Cole Palmer.
The rumored negotiations follow Palmer’s two-year extension to keep him with Chelsea until 2033. Although Jackson didn’t play in Chelsea’s tour of the United States due to injury, Chelsea wants to reward Jackson with a big payday.
Despite the extension, Jackson’s future at Stamford Bridge seems murky. Jackson is still ‘disturbed’ about Mauricio Pochettino’s exit from Chelsea — he chalks up his improvement at Chelsea to Pochettino. He’s also felt negatively about Chelsea’s frenzied search for another striker. They still doggedly pursue Victor Osimhen, who could cost over nine figures to pry away from Napoli. They’ve also signed Barca prodigy Marc Guiu and have been linked to Felix, Viktor Gyokeres, and Ivan Toney.
Chelsea are set to take on defending Premier League champions Manchester City, with Jackson likely in tow. Jackson resumed full training with the team and played 34 minutes in a preseason draw against Inter.
AC Milan wants to offload Senegal left-back Fodé Ballo-Touré, per Italian insider Matteo Moretto. Milan is in a sticky financial situation — they can’t register their new signings without selling more players. Ballo-Touré, who has fallen out of the Milan rotation, is one of many on the chopping block. Ligue 1 side Saint-Etienne are reportedly interested in Ballo-Touré. Both Milan and Ballo-Touré are interested in the deal, although no fee has been named.
After failing to sign Liverpool center-back Sepp van den Berg, PSV could turn to Nordsjælland defender Adamo Nagalo. Heralded as the latest gem coming out of Ghana’s Right to Dream academy, Nagalo has made 113 appearances for Nordsjaelland since signing three years ago, evolving into the Danish side’s first-choice center-back. The Burkinadbé brick wall could leave for the defending Eredivisie champions, with Southampton, Lens, and Lille also interested in the 21-year-old.
Despite heated transfer speculation, Nigerian winger Ademola Lookman started on the left wing in Atalanta’s 2-0 UEFA Super Cup loss to Real Madrid. Lookman, who completed two of five dribbles but failed to register a single shot on target, saw interest from Liverpool, Bayern, and Saudi club Al-Ittihad. Although Atalanta reportedly put a price tag of $77 million on Lookman, he could stay in Bergamo following the long-term injury of attacker Gianluca Scamacca.