Nicolas Jackson’s loan move to Bayern Munich falls through after injury to Delap

In a dramatic turn of events, Chelsea FC has pulled out of a proposed loan deal that would have seen striker Nicolas Jackson join Bayern Munich for the 2025-26 season.

The decision comes after an injury to Chelsea’s new signing, Liam Delap, during a match against Fulham on Saturday, prompting head coach Enzo Maresca and the club’s leadership to reconsider their transfer strategy.

The 24-year-old Senegal international was set to move to the Bundesliga giants for a record-breaking loan fee of £13 million, with an option for Bayern to purchase him permanently for £56.2 million next summer. The deal also included a sell-on clause, reflecting Chelsea’s confidence in Jackson’s long-term value.

However, Delap’s hamstring injury, which Maresca described as requiring “weeks” of recovery, forced Chelsea to halt the transfer. Jackson, who was already on his way to Munich, will now return to London and reintegrate into the squad.

Jackson’s potential exit had been fueled by his reduced role at Stamford Bridge following Chelsea’s acquisition of strikers Joao Pedro from Brighton and Liam Delap from Ipswich Town this summer.

The former Villarreal forward, who joined Chelsea in 2023 for £32 million, has scored an impressive 30 goals and provided 12 assists in 81 appearances for the Blues, including a goal in their UEFA Conference League final victory over Real Betis last season.

Despite his solid record, Jackson’s opportunities were limited, with his last appearance being a substitute role in Chelsea’s Club World Cup semi-final win over Fluminense in July.

Chelsea’s decision to retain Jackson is a pragmatic one, as the club now faces a shortage of fit strikers. Maresca, speaking after the Fulham match, emphasized the need for depth, stating, “When you have two strikers, it’s enough.” With Delap sidelined and Joao Pedro shouldering much of the attacking load, Jackson’s return to the first-team fold provides a vital boost.

The striker, who signed a contract extension until 2033 in September 2024, remains a polarizing figure among fans due to his inconsistent finishing but is valued for his relentless off-ball movement and ability to create high-value scoring chances.

The collapse of the Bayern move also coincides with Chelsea’s active transfer window, which saw Christopher Nkunku complete a £36 million permanent transfer to AC Milan on the same day.

The Blues have raised approximately £309 million from player sales this summer, offsetting their £277 million spent on new signings.

Source: Skysports