Jackson determined to complete Bayern transfer despite Chelsea recall | OneFootball

Nicolas Jackson ‘is determined’ to complete a move to Bayern Munich despite Chelsea making a U-turn over his Stamford Bridge exit (h/t journalist Matt Law).

Chelsea had allowed Jackson to travel to Germany and join Bayern on loan, but an injury to new signing Liam Delap forced them to change their mind.

Immediately after Delap’s injury, news broke that the Blues had asked Jackson to return. Bayern are trying to find solutions, including a permanent transfer.

Signing Jackson permanently would give Chelsea the funds to pursue another striker before the transfer window closes.

Spare a thought for Jackson, who has been phased out of Enzo Maresca’s squad and was on the verge of a move to Bayern, where he would be the heir to Harry Kane.

Chelsea are now forcing him back after realising their transfer gaffe. The decision to head into a long season with only Delap and Joao Pedro was not the wisest.

It was bound to backfire at some point in the season, but it happened early enough, allowing them to backtrack on their initial decision, despite its dishonourable nature.

The Blues now face a fight to convince the 24-year-old about returning without kicking up a fuss.

What should Chelsea do if Jackson refuses to return?

If Chelsea cannot convince Jackson to return to Stamford Bridge or Bayern offer a convincing figure to make the transfer permanent, the Blues should consider a move for RB Leipzig’s Lois Openda.

Bayern are also reportedly plotting a swoop for him if the Jackson transfer falls through.

Despite a poor 2024/25 campaign, Openda is a terrific centre-forward who has netted 18 league goals or more per season in his previous three campaigns across the Eredivisie, Ligue 1 and Bundesliga.

He delivered a 31-goal-and-assist season (0.97 non-penalty goals and assists per 90) for Leipzig in the Bundesliga in 2023/24.

He is a massive threat running in behind defences, and his ball-carrying is remarkable.

Away from the dysfunction at Leipzig, he could find his scoring touch, delivering the goods for Chelsea in the absence of Delap and possibly Jackson.