Chelsea FC's attack is set to undergo a major overhaul as Senegal's football prodigy, Nicolas Jackson, pens an eight-year deal with the Blues, marking the club's second marquee signing this summer. This announcement comes alongside the revelation of long-serving midfielder, Ruben Loftus-Cheek, finalizing a permanent transfer to Italian giants, AC Milan.
The 22-year-old forward, Nicolas Jackson, has been acquired for a reported fee of €37m ($40.6m), a figure slightly over his €35m release clause. Born in The Gambia and raised in neighboring Senegal, Jackson emerged from Villarreal's development team, quickly rising through the ranks before making his debut on the first team. He finished last season with 12 goals in 26 league appearances, his nine goals in the last eight La Liga matches notably sparking attention.
"We believe [Nicolas] is ready for this next step in his career," expressed co-sporting directors Laurence Stewart and Paul Winstanley. They added, "We look forward to him working with our new head coach, Mauricio Pochettino, and his Chelsea teammates."
Jackson's lengthy contract Mirrors the approach of the new Chelsea consortium, Todd Boehly and Clearlake Capital, who tend to bestow extended contracts on their new acquisitions. Previous beneficiaries include Enzo Fernandez and Mykhailo Mudryk, who agreed to eight-and-a-half-year deals in January.
Jackson's arrival follows the signing of forward Christopher Nkunku from RB Leipzig, as the club seeks to bolster its offense that had been witnessing a slump. The Blues are pursuing a more aggressive squad reformation in line with Pochettino's strategic vision.
Meanwhile, Ruben Loftus-Cheek, a Chelsea veteran since the age of eight, will embark on a new chapter with AC Milan, following a 19-year stint with the Blues. Loftus-Cheek has agreed to a four-year contract with the Serie A side for an undisclosed fee, although British media estimates the figure at around €16 million ($17.47 million).
Loftus-Cheek, who has made 155 appearances for Chelsea, scoring 13 goals and clinching Premier League, Europa League, and UEFA Super Cup titles, will undoubtedly be missed at the Cobham training ground. His transfer to AC Milan comes in the wake of departures of high-profile Chelsea players like N'Golo Kante and Kalidou Koulibaly to Saudi Arabian clubs, and the imminent exit of Mason Mount to Manchester United.
