Nicolas Jackson set for Chelsea return as Bayern pass on €65m clause
Chelsea will welcome Nicolas Jackson back to Stamford Bridge this summer after Bayern Munich decided against a permanent move for the striker. Bayern sporting director Max Eberl confirmed the news on ZDF-Sportstudio on April 26, 2026, stating the club will not trigger the €65 million purchase option in the loan agreement. Jackson heads back to London once the 2025/2026 campaign ends, with no second loan or outright buy planned from the Bavarian side.
Bayern Munich signed the Senegal international on a season-long loan from Chelsea last summer following a drawn-out transfer process. Coaches brought Jackson in to provide cover for Harry Kane, and he stepped up whenever called upon. The 24-year-old put in solid shifts from the bench and in rotation, helping Bayern clinch another Bundesliga title and reach the DFB-Pokal final with some timely goals.
However, the high price tag and wage demands caused hesitation among the board. While Vincent Kompany liked the player’s work rate and professional attitude, the hierarchy ultimately chose long-term budget discipline over making the deal permanent.
How has he fared in the ongoing 2025/26 season?
Jackson recorded 7 goals and 1 assist in the Bundesliga during 2025/2026. He played 847 minutes across roughly 20 appearances, posted an average FotMob rating of 6.99, and picked up 1 yellow card and 1 red card. Those numbers show a reliable deputy who used his pace to stretch defences and provided a real physical presence.
He wins his fair share of aerial duels and links play well when dropping deeper. That said, the Chelsea loanee can still be inconsistent when finishing under pressure, and the occasional booking has disrupted his rhythm. Fans have pointed to his athleticism and high-pressing style as major strengths, but he still needs to improve his decision-making in the final third and adjust to elite-level intensity over a full 90 minutes.
Eberl was direct in his television interview and left no room for doubt. Bayern Munich are looking at different attacking options for the future, so Jackson returns to Chelsea. Reports from outlets like GOAL and Sports Mole back this up, confirming the loan will wrap up without an extension. Chelsea originally sent Jackson out to gain experience and build his market value, but the German giants baulked at the price after considering all the factors.
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Scorzo’s opinion:
Jackson brings plenty of pace, hold-up play, and international experience with Senegal. He looks like a promising focal point but needs a bit more refinement to be a locked-in starter for a top-tier club. Chelsea now have a decision to make, especially with interest from several European sides already starting to surface.
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This move represents a cautious approach from Bayern Munich. They got the squad depth they needed without overspending, while Jackson proved he can contribute in a secondary role. Chelsea are left with an asset that still has plenty of resale value and will now have to decide whether to sell him or keep him in the squad. The decision feels more like a business move than a snub, as Jackson played well but didn’t quite do enough to justify such a massive investment. Chelsea fans can expect plenty of talk regarding his next move in the upcoming transfer window.
