2 weeks ago
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Package up to €80m
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“It is one of the smallest squads I played in,” Harry Kane said after the Franz-Beckenbauer Supercup win over Stuttgart (2-1). “There is still some time from now until the end of the transfer window. But that’s down to [director of sport] Max [Eberl] and [sporting director] Christoph [Freund] as well as the coach to make those kinds of decisions.” The Bayern Munich bosses listened and are set to add Nicolas Jackson from Chelsea on loan with an option to buy. It is the biggest loan deal in Bundesliga history.
The German giants are set to pay a €15 million fee to loan Jackson for one season. Just in comparison, Bayern Munich paid €13m to loan Colombian superstar James Rodríguez for two years in 2017, and they received €10m to loan Mathys Tel to Tottenham. It is a compromise, after all; Chelsea wanted to sell Jackson, and only a high loan fee made a deal possible. The loan also includes an option to buy for €65m, which can be triggered in the summer of 2026, and together with Lucas Hernández would make Jackson the second most expensive signing in Bayern’s history.
Jackson joined Chelsea in a deal worth €37m from Villarreal two years ago. Since then, the striker has scored 30 goals and provided 12 assists in 81 games across all competitions. A physical imposing forward, the Senegalese national team striker can play both as a no.9 and on the wing. Bayern Munich have had a difficult transfer window. The Munich club lost out on signing Florian Wirtz (to Liverpool) and Nick Woltemade (to Newcastle). Bayern were also interested in Chelsea’s Christopher Nkunku, but he has now joined AC Milan instead. Additionally, Kingsley Coman left the club to join Saudi Pro League side Al-Nassr, and Leroy Sané opted to leave on a free transfer to Galatasaray.
Record loan deal – Why were Bayern Munich desperate to sign Nicolas Jackson
As a result of failed transfers and player departures, Bayern Munich’s squad has been reduced to 25 players. That squad includes four goalkeepers as well as youth players Lennart Karl (17), Wisdom Mike (16), and Jonah Kusi-Asare (18). Furthermore, Alphonso Davies and Jamal Musiala are currently missing with long-term injuries. Despite all that, Freund and Eberl were instructed to only find short-term loan solutions, as the board wants to keep its powder dry for a major transfer offensive next summer.
Finding that short-term solution hasn’t been easy until Jackson became available. The 24-year-old, however, could be a perfect signing for Bayern Munich. Capable of playing on the wing, the forward will give head coach Vincent Kompany options on the flank. Most importantly, Jackson can also come in to play either with Kane or give the England captain much-needed time off in what is going to be a World Cup year. Will it be enough, though? Even with Jackson, the squad will still be thin, but perhaps one or two of the youth players will make a significant jump forward this season.
