Nicolas Jackson is in transfer limbo on the eve of deadline day as his cancelled loan move to Bayern Munich takes another twist.
Chelsea striker Jackson travelled to Germany to complete the switch but Bayern sporting director Max Eberl confirmed on Saturday that Chelsea had informed the club and the player that Jackson must return to London.
The u-turn came soon after Liam Delap pulled up with an apparent hamstring injury in the Blues' controversial Premier League win against Fulham on Saturday.
Jackson was in Bavaria to finalise a season-long loan after finding himself surplus to requirements at Stamford Bridge, where Enzo Maresca now has Delap and an in-form Joao Pedro at his disposal as well as a bafflingly large number of high-quality wingers and wide forwards.
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But with Delap's imminent absence possibly leaving Chelsea short of centre-forward options for up to eight weeks, word was sent to Munich and Jackson's loan was reportedly cancelled.
Nevertheless, transfer expert David Ornstein claimed on Sunday morning that the Senegalese striker, who has also been heavily linked with a reunion with Unai Emery at Aston Villa this summer, could yet find his way to the Bundesliga giants.
"[Chelsea are] not allowing Nicolas Jackson loan but permanent possible," Ornstein posted on X, formerly Twitter. His departure would be facilitated by Chelsea's apparent desire to bring in another centre-forward in his place.
According to Ornstein, Sporting CP striker Conrad Harder is one of the names in the frame for the Blues.
Jackson is in an impossible spot with the deadline a little over a day away.
The 24-year-old joined Chelsea two years ago and signed a contract extension last summer, playing 81 times in his first two years at the Premier League club.
Jackson out in the cold
But Jackson wasn't in Maresca's 2025-26 plans in any way, shape or form until Delap was withdrawn against the Cottagers on Saturday.
He made three appearances in Chelsea's successful Club World Cup campaign but has not been included in the squad for any of their three Premier League matches in the new season.
Jackson scored 24 goals in 65 Premier League appearances but has no obvious future at his club as the transfer deadline looms.
Topics: Chelsea, Chelsea Transfer News & Rumours, Football, Premier League, Transfers
Chris Nee