'Several clubs' - Fabrizio Romano issues update on key player Chelsea could sell for huge profit
Chelsea could yet sell one of their most important players from last season.
Chelsea could still sell a player who was vitally important to their efforts last season. The Blues made the surprise decision to agree the sale of Noni Madueke to Arsenal recently, with that deal set to be completed any day now.
Enzo Maresca has taken a ruthless approach to recruitment and player sales during his time at the club, and he has been no different with Madueke, who suggesting the winger no longer wanted to be at the club.
Chelsea will bring in around £52million for the sale of Madueke, and they may also bring in a big fee for another attacker or two this summer. Christopher Nkunku is the prime candidate to move on amid reported interest from Germany, while Nicolas Jackson could also be offloaded despite the striker proving to be a key player last season.
Jackson started last season in electric form, although he did have a dry spell going into the second half of the season. He would eventually find the net again, but Jackson finished the season with a red card against Newcastle United, and he went on to get another red card in the FIFA Club World Cup.
The most recent red card sparked transfer rumours aplenty, especially with Chelsea signing Joao Pedro and Liam Delap this summer. Maresca said of the rumours and the red card: “No, the red card has nothing to do with Nico’s future. He had the first one against Newcastle when Liam was not even here and another one (against Flamengo). I’m not sure that it’s 100 per cent a red card but the referee decided for that, and Nico knows very well that in both situations (it) was not something good for the team.”
In the meantime, Fabrizio Romano has reported: “Several clubs have started to move for Nicolas Jackson as his exit from Chelsea remains possible this summer. AC Milan deal currently off, price too high and no intention to proceed. Premier League clubs making initial approaches.”
According to the Daily Mail, Chelsea want as much as £100million for Jackson, meaning they are seeking a profit of just under £70million. That could be a tricky fee to obtain this summer, especially given Jackson’s stock is not at its highest. Though, the striker is only 24 years of age, and he has already shown plenty of potential at the top level.
Jackson’s cost explained
The reality is that this is surely a financial move from Chelsea, but their asking price tells us they only want to sell if they can bring in a fee too good to refuse. Maresca was lacking in depth at the top end of the pitch last season, but he now has three very good options, assuming Nkunku is leaving.
Selling Jackson would be a backwards move for Chelsea in that respect, and it would likely send the Blues back into the market for another striker ahead of the new season. That’s likely why it will take money for Chelsea to sell.
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