Nicolas Jackson has told Chelsea he wants to depart following interest from Newcastle United, in response to reports.
Jackson was neglected of Chelsea’s squad for his or her pre-season friendly against Bayer Leverkusen at Stamford Bridge on Friday.
The striker, who was signed in a £32 million deal from Villarrreal two years ago, had initially indicated that he desired to stay at Chelsea despite the arrivals of Joao Pedro and Liam Delap this summer.
Nevertheless, The Guardian reports that Jackson has now informed Chelsea’s hierarchy that he wants to maneuver before the tip of the summer transfer window.
The report adds that Newcastle are frontrunners to sign Jackson, while Chelsea could be willing to simply accept a fee of around £65m having initially valued the 24-year-old at £80m.
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Speaking this week, Maresca refused to rule out the potential for Jackson leaving Stamford Bridge.
‘When the transfer window is open, unfortunately or fortunately, anything can occur. This also involves Nico’s situationm’ Maresca said.
‘For the time being we also had two strikers arrive, Joao [Pedro] and Liam [Delap]. So we’ll see what happens.’
Chelsea have also held further talks with Manchester United this week over a deal for Alejandro Garnacho, who has agreed personal terms.
Maresca’s side are also trying to finalise a take care of RB Leipzig for Xavi Simons.
Newcastle, meanwhile, proceed to make the signing of a brand new striker a priority ahead of their Premier League opener away to Aston Villa next Saturday.
Eddie Howe has lost Callum Wilson to West Ham on a free transfer, and admitted on Friday that Alexander Isak is unlikely to feature against Villa next week as he continues to coach away from the primary team after Liverpool’s £110m bid was rejected earlier this month.
‘We’ve had discussions and it’s clear in the intervening time we are able to’t have him involved with the group,’ Howe said.
‘I don’t know the way long that will probably be for. It’s clear I can’t involve him with the team in the intervening time.
‘He’s training later than the remaining of the squad. There have been discussions for the reason that tour. I don’t think disciplinary motion has happened.
‘I’d want Alex to be playing today, I’d want him training tomorrow. We might love the player to be with us – let me make that absolutely clear. There’s no a part of me that doesn’t want that final result.
‘But I don’t see that changing before Aston Villa, the present situation we’re in.’
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