Chelsea Football Club has reportedly placed a £47-£51 million (€55-60m) valuation on striker Nicolas Jackson following a series of disciplinary issues, with his latest red card at the FIFA Club World Cup sparking transfer interest from multiple clubs. The Senegalese forward’s “stupid” actions, as branded by pundits, have put his future at Stamford Bridge in doubt, with the Blues open to offers for the 24-year-old.
Jackson, who joined Chelsea from Villarreal for £30 million in 2023, received a straight red card just four minutes after coming off the bench in a 3-1 loss to Flamengo at the Club World Cup. The reckless tackle on defender Ayrton Lucas was slammed by former Chelsea midfielder John Obi Mikel, who called it a “stupid, stupid, stupid mistake” on DAZN, forcing the broadcaster to apologize for his impassioned rant. Alan Shearer also criticized the challenge as “stupid” on the Rest is Football podcast, highlighting Jackson’s inconsistency and ill-discipline. This was Jackson’s second red card in four games, following a similar incident against Newcastle in the Premier League.
The red card has intensified scrutiny on Jackson, who scored 15 goals in all competitions last season but has struggled for consistency. Chelsea’s recent £30 million signing of Liam Delap from Ipswich Town has added pressure, with Delap impressing on his full debut against Flamengo. Sources indicate Jackson is “no longer untouchable” at Chelsea, and the club is considering a future without him as manager Enzo Maresca reshapes the squad.
Italian clubs Juventus and Napoli, the latter managed by former Chelsea boss Antonio Conte, have expressed interest in Jackson, according to Sky Sport Italia and Gianluca Di Marzio. Three unnamed Premier League clubs and teams from Saudi Arabia are also reportedly monitoring the situation. However, transfer expert Fabrizio Romano noted on X that Chelsea’s asking price may deter Italian clubs due to high wages and transfer fees, making a Premier League move more likely.
Despite the speculation, some reports suggest Chelsea are not actively looking to sell Jackson, with Football Today claiming the club plans to retain two strikers for the 2025/26 season. Teammate Marc Cucurella defended Jackson post-match, urging him to improve his decision-making, while Jorginho expressed confidence that the striker would “surpass this little mistake.” Jackson issued an apology to fans and teammates on social media, but his long-term future remains uncertain.