Admin
Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca has refused to rule out the possibility of Nicolas Jackson leaving Stamford Bridge during the summer transfer window.
Newcastle United are reportedly monitoring the 24-year-old Senegalese forward after Manchester United hijacked the Magpies’ attempt to sign RB Leipzig striker Benjamin Sesko.
Chelsea are said to be open to negotiations but would demand a transfer fee of over £65 million, more than double the £32 million they paid Villarreal for Nicolas Jackson in 2023.
Speaking on the situation, Maresca said: “When the transfer window is open, unfortunately or fortunately, anything can happen. This also involves Nico’s situation. At the moment we also had two strikers arrive, Joao [Pedro] and Liam [Delap]. So we will see what happens.”
Joao Pedro joined Chelsea from Brighton during the Club World Cup for an initial £55 million, scoring three goals in three matches, including one in the 3-0 final victory over Paris Saint-Germain.
Liam Delap was signed from Ipswich Town for £30 million and also featured in Chelsea’s pre-season tour of the United States.
Jackson’s Club World Cup campaign was disrupted by a red card in the group stage win over Flamengo.
Despite that, Chelsea’s valuation reflects his contributions in the Premier League, where he scored 10 goals and provided five assists in 30 matches last season. In his first season, he registered 14 goals and five assists across all competitions.
He signed a nine-year deal with Chelsea in September 2024, running until 2033.
Meanwhile, Maresca confirmed that defender Levi Colwill sustained an injury in training earlier this week and could be set for a spell on the sidelines.
“It was in the first session on Monday, just in the last minutes of the session. He felt something and, as I said, we need to wait and then we see,” Maresca said.
“I spoke with him yesterday and I told him that if we achieve what we achieved last year, it is also because of him, and he was a main player for us.”
As for Wesley Fofana, he is recovering from a hamstring injury. Although he will miss upcoming friendlies against Bayer Leverkusen and AC Milan, he is expected to return in time for Chelsea’s Premier League opener against Crystal Palace on August 17.
The post Enzo Maresca Refuses To Rule Out Nicolas Jackson Exit Amid Newcastle Interest appeared first on Naija News.
