Four Potential Destinations For Nicolas Jackson

Chelsea are ready to let go of Nicolas Jackson this summer, but their reported $89 million valuation suggests he isn’t someone the club merely wants to discard on the cheap.

The Senegal international has back-to-back double-digit goal seasons in the Premier League behind him, and looked like he may well develop into Chelsea’s long-term striker solution after a raw but promising debut campaign three years ago.

Jackson loved working under Mauricio Pochettino, and although Enzo Maresca insisted there was no major breakdown in his relationship with the forward, Chelsea’s moves for Liam Delap and João Pedro last summer irked the former Villarreal man, who spent the 2025–26 season on loan at Bayern Munich.

Jackson returned to West London as a Bundesliga champion, but with his future unclear. While the 25-year-old is a handful and certainly valuable to somebody, Chelsea have João Pedro leading their line. New signing Danny Welbeck is the understudy and the third of three striker places has gone to another new arrival, Emmanuel Emegha. The Blues simply don’t fancy continuing to carry a frustrated Jackson, who was left out of Xabi Alonso’s first matchday squad of the season against Fulham.

But, given his underlying ability and record,, several clubs have expressed interest. Here’s how Sports Illustrated ranks four potential destinations, based on likelihood and suitability.

4. Tottenham Hotspur

Nicolas Jackson, Micky van de Ven — Chelsea’s London rivals are reportedly in the race. | Glyn KIRK/AFP/Getty Images

Spurs are in the market for three forwards before the summer deadline. Two of those are expected to be Manchester City duo Savinho and Omar Marmoush, while Liverpool’s Cody Gakpo has also been linked.

Roberto De Zerbi’s profiling of Marmoush will determine the extent of his success in North London. He isn’t the outright center-forward Spurs supporters believe they require, and if Richarlison does leave the club over the next week, the Lilywhites could be in for a striker of Jackson’s profile.

Marmoush should thrive alongside a Jackson-type No. 9. The Chelsea man stretches defenses but can also drop in to combine. He’s become incredibly underrated by the masses, primarily because of his perceived inefficiency in front of goal.

Spurs supporters will remember the rather comical hat-trick Jackson scored against Ange Postecoglou’s nine men in 2023, and if he were to switch London allegiances, it would be a very rare direct transfer between the two clubs. In fact, there have only ever been two, and one of those, backup goalkeeper Carlo Cudicini in 2009, joined Spurs as a free agent.

History suggests this won’t happen, and other suitors seem to be further along in their pursuit of the 25-year-old.

3. Napoli

Rasmus Højlund enjoyed a successful debut season in Naples. | Giuseppe Maffia/NurPhoto/Getty Images

Gianluca Di Marzio has reported that Napoli recently made contact with Jackson’s representatives about a transfer.

The Italian champions from two seasons ago are now led by Massimiliano Allegri, who, as was the case at Juventus in 2014, is succeeding Antonio Conte.

There was no major Conte blow-up this time around, with the two parties breaking up amicably after a disappointing Serie A title defense.

Jackson is the sort of striker Allegri likes, given his athletic profile and physicality. The Senegalese frontman must also be encouraged by how well Rasmus Højlund, a Manchester United flop, has settled.

With Romelu Lukaku gone and Lorenzo Lucca on the chopping block, Jackson would compete with Højlund for a starting berth and have the chance to shine in the Champions League. Napoli’s second-place finish last season means they’ve retained their status among Europe’s elite.

However, Napoli’s willingness to only sanction a loan means Chelsea would prefer Jackson to move elsewhere.

2. Atlético Madrid

Diego Simeone, Alexander Sørloth — Atléti may need an Alexander Sørloth replacement. | Yasin AKGUL/AFP/Getty Images

Reports in Spain suggest that this is where Jackson wants to be.

The lights of the Metropolitano aren‘t quite as bright as the Bernabéu on the other side of town, but Atlético Madrid has emerged as one of Europe’s most popular transfer destinations over the past decade or so.

Atléti have already made a major coup by signing Cristian Romero from Tottenham Hotspur, and they could be busy up until the last moment on the incomings front. Much will depend on what happens with Alexander Sørloth and, of course, Julián Alvarez, whose desire to join Barcelona has alienated a fervent fanbase.

Alvarez’s situation is drifting towards untenable, while Sørloth could be heading back to Türkiye.

Assuming at least one departs, Atléti would desperately need mitigation, especially after they said an emotional goodbye to bona fide legend Antoine Griezmann at the end of last season.

Fabrizio Romano reports that the La Liga club are “still pushing” to sign Jackson, but like Napoli, they would prefer to do a loan deal.

1. Aston Villa

Nicolas Jackson, Emiliano Martínez — Aston Villa are expected to make a move. | Darren Walsh/Chelsea FC/Getty Images

Unai Emery handed Jackson his senior debut at Villarreal in 2021 before the Spaniard was appointed Steven Gerrard’s successor at Villa Park in 2022.

Jackson subsequently earned a $43.6 million move to Chelsea the following summer, with Emery later commending the striker’s attitude while he was trying to break into the Yellow Submarine’s first team.

The pair could be reunited in short order. Aston Villa are rebuilding their core this summer, and Jackson is the subject of strong Villa interest while Ollie Watkins flirts with a move to Al Hilal in Saudi Arabia. The Chelsea striker has been identified as Watkins’s replacement, and the Premier League club are the most likely to match Chelsea’s valuation.

Jackson is an excellent fit for Emery’s side, given his capacity to run the channels. Villa typically play narrow and vertically, waiting to release the front man running off the shoulder of the deepest defender.

They are leading the race for his signature.

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