Nicolas Jackson was left out of Chelsea’s pre-season friendly against Bayer Leverkusen at Stamford Bridge on Friday after it was agreed he could leave the club.
Jackson, 24, joined the club in 2023 for £32million from Villarreal and has scored 30 goals in 81 games. The striker trained alone at Chelsea’s Cobham training ground on Friday, while his team-mates prepared for their game.
The Senegal striker scored only one goal in the last 15 Premier League matches he played last season and has fallen down the pecking order at Chelsea, who signed Liam Delap for £30million from Ipswich Town, and João Pedro for £60million from Brighton & Hove Albion.
Jackson could be of interest to Newcastle given the northeast club’s failure to land Sesko
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Jackson, who signed a contract extension with Chelsea in September which runs until 2033, is suspended for the first game of the Premier League season after he was sent off against Newcastle United in the third from last match of the previous season. He also was sent off in Chelsea’s Club World Cup group-stage match against Flamengo and has not played for the club since.
Jackson was on Manchester United’s radar earlier this summer, but the club are set to complete a deal for Benjamin Sekso from RB Leipzig.
Newcastle United are still searching for a striker and are set to table an improved £30million offer for Brentford’s Yoane Wissa but Jackson’s availability will surely also be of interest given his Premier League experience and goalscoring record.
However, Chelsea expect a fee for Jackson that is comparable to the £52million paid by Arsenal for Noni Madueke.
Enzo Maresca said that Chelsea are looking to sign a new centre back after Levi Colwill suffered a long-term knee injury.
“It’s a priority for me to get a new centre back,” Maresca said. “We will see if we go for it”.
The Chelsea head coach spoke after his team beat Bayer Leverkusen 2-0 in a pre-season friendly at Stamford Bridge.
Willian Estevão, making his debut for Chelsea after joining from Palmeiras, impressed as he scored the opener in the first half, starting a swift attack down the left before applying the finishing touch by tapping in the rebound after Cole Palmer hit the crossbar.
Chelsea fans had to wait only 18 minutes before their new man Estevão was kissing the club badge during a fine performance
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João Pedro, a second-half substitute, scored Chelsea’s second goal in the final minute of the match.
Jorrel Hato also made his Chelsea debut in the second half at left back, while Jamie Gittens played the final 25 minutes.
Chelsea have only just started their official pre-season after a period of rest following their Club World Cup triumph on July 13.
Maresca’s side will play AC Milan on Sunday in their final pre-season match before their Premier League season opener against Crystal Palace the following Sunday.