Game-Changer: Chelsea Secures Villarreal Striker Nicolas Jackson on Groundbreaking Eight-Year Deal
Chelsea secures Villarreal's Nicolas Jackson on an eight-year deal, surpassing his £301m release clause for improved payment terms The striker becomes the club's second summer signing after Christopher Nkunku's £52m arrival Don't miss the latest transfer updates on Sky Sports
Chelsea have completed the signing of Nicolas Jackson, a talented striker formerly from Villarreal. The 22-year-old has secured an impressive eight-year contract with the Blues, who have surpassed his £30.1m release clause in order to negotiate more advantageous payment conditions with Villarreal.
Jackson, the Senegalese forward, is now Mauricio Pochettino's second acquisition of the summer after he assumed control in May. Christopher Nkunku from RB Leipzig, who arrived for a fee of £52m, was the first signing. In the previous season, Jackson netted 12 goals and contributed with five assists in various tournaments for Villarreal.
Bournemouth had agreed a deal to sign the Senegalese forward for £22.5m in January but he failed his medical with a hamstring problem.
Chelsea's co-sporting directors, Laurence Stewart and Paul Winstanley, expressed their excitement in welcoming Nicolas to the team. They acknowledged his impressive performance for Villarreal in the previous season, emphasizing his young age and immense potential.
The directors firmly believe that Nicolas is prepared for the next stage in his career and are eagerly anticipating his collaboration with the club's new head coach, Mauricio Pochettino, and his fellow Chelsea teammates.
Jackson's exceptional performance towards the end of the season, during his remarkable breakthrough campaign, resulted in him being named LaLiga's player of the month in May. This contributed greatly to Villarreal's successful fifth-place finish and qualification for the Europa League.
Additionally, he had the opportunity to represent Senegal in the Qatar World Cup, where he made his international debut during a group stage match against the Netherlands.
Jackson's 'sliding doors' moment that led to Chelsea move
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Nicolas Jackson's league stats compared to other Chelsea forwards last season
Sliding Doors, the renowned film directed by Peter Howitt, recently marked its 25th anniversary. The story revolves around Helen, played by Gwyneth Paltrow, exploring the alternate paths her life could have taken based on the simple decision of catching or missing a train.
Nicolas Jackson was still three years away from being born, but the man Mauricio Pochettino is pinning his hopes on at Chelsea has already experienced his very own Sliding Doors moment.
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Bournemouth came close to signing the 22-year-old player from Villarreal in January, but the deal fell through due to concerns over a hamstring injury he had sustained. Jackson did not pass his medical examination on the south coast.
While the Cherries had agreed on a £21m fee, they decided not to take a risk on Jackson's availability given the serious possibility of relegation. They prioritized having as many fit players as possible.
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Would Jackson have primarily operated on the flank opposite Dominic Solanke, who used to play for Chelsea, if he had relocated to Bournemouth? The player would dispel any apprehensions by delivering an impressive performance towards the end of the season for the Yellow Submarine.
Who will be on the move this summer ahead of the transfer window closing at 11pm on September 1 in England and midnight in Scotland?
Keep up to date with all the latest transfer news and rumours in our dedicated Transfer Centre blog on We' digital platforms. You can also catch up with the ins, outs and analysis on We News.
