AC Milan push for Nicolas Jackson transfer from Chelsea

João Pedro’s rise and Delap’s impact cast doubts over Jackson’s future

AC Milan have initiated talks to sign Nicolas Jackson from Chelsea. According to Matteo Moretto—confirmed by Fabrizio Romano—Milan are among the clubs interested in the 23-year-old forward.

Last season, Jackson featured in 30 Premier League matches for Chelsea, scoring 10 goals. Across all competitions, he made 37 appearances, scoring 13 goals and providing 6 assists.

However, his red card against Newcastle United late in the season brought his performances under greater scrutiny and raised questions about his long-term role at the club.

As the new season approaches, Chelsea’s attacking line has been bolstered by the arrivals of Liam Delap and João Pedro, intensifying competition. João Pedro’s strong performance against Fluminense and Delap’s solid pre-season have put Jackson’s place in the starting XI under threat.

Athletic but incomplete: Jackson’s forward profile

Jackson represents the modern athletic forward—a direct, physical, and mobile threat. He likes to attack directly, effectively uses his speed to break in behind defences, and does not shy away from physical duels thanks to his strong build. He has played an important role in Chelsea’s transitional play and can also cut inside from the left flank in wide-forward roles.

However, Jackson remains a developing player. His shortcomings in tight-space ball control, positional awareness, and decision-making are particularly noticeable. He sometimes opts for a pass when a shot would be better, and at other times he reacts too late to the flow of the game. In terms of finishing, despite creating numerous opportunities, his inability to convert many of them into goals has led the coaching staff to question his efficiency.

Why Villarreal suited him more than Chelsea

Because of these traits, Jackson is more effective in systems based on transition play, where he can exploit space behind the defence. It was precisely this kind of system that allowed him to thrive at Villarreal. Fast breaks, wide spaces, and opportunities to play against low defensive blocks allowed him to shine. But things changed after his move to Chelsea.

The London club plays with more possession, often dominating the final third and relying on structured attacks. In such systems, Jackson’s decision-making, finishing, and footballing intelligence in tight spaces are put to the test. As a forward who struggles without space, he has at times been completely neutralised by the Premier League’s physical defences.

Chelsea open to sale but price could be too high for Milan

According to Fabrizio Romano, Chelsea are not entirely opposed to selling Jackson. However, the club are reportedly asking for around €60 million (£51.7 million), a figure that could pose a challenge for Milan’s financial structure.

The Italian side may find it difficult to meet that price, and so far, talks have only reached an exploratory stage between the parties.

Milan may propose flexible payment plans

Given Chelsea’s high valuation, Milan are likely to explore more flexible payment models. Considering the general financial landscape of Serie A clubs, options such as a loan with a purchase option or staggered payments could be on the table. However, there has been no confirmation of any formal proposal or negotiation along those lines yet.

Summer dealings between Chelsea and Milan go beyond Jackson

The two clubs were also linked over a different transfer earlier this summer. Chelsea made a move for Milan goalkeeper Mike Maignan at the start of the window. However, Milan head coach Massimiliano Allegri publicly stated that the French keeper would remain with the club despite being in the final year of his contract.

So far, Maignan’s camp has shown no signs of entering talks over a contract extension.

For now, Chelsea’s pursuit of a goalkeeper appears to have ended. According to both Sky Sports and The Guardian, the Blues refused to meet Milan’s asking price and have since stepped back from negotiations. Fabrizio Romano confirmed: “The Mike Maignan deal is off.”

Premier League clubs also monitoring Jackson

In addition to Milan’s interest, several Premier League sides are also tracking Nicolas Jackson. According to the latest updates from Fabrizio Romano, there is interest not only from Italy but also from England. While no specific teams have been named yet, Chelsea are reportedly open to offers, and these clubs are closely monitoring the situation.

Critical summer ahead for Jackson

This summer could be decisive for Nicolas Jackson’s career trajectory. If he remains at Chelsea, he will face strong competition from Delap and João Pedro. On the other hand, a move to a club like Milan might offer more consistent playing time and a fresh start in Italy.

The 23-year-old forward has yet to decide on his next step. But given the level of interest, his name could come back into the headlines as the window progresses.