LAGOS, Nigeria (VOICE OF NAIJA)-Chelsea’s attention in their search for a striker has caught Villareal Nicolas Jackson, who would be a less expensive option than Victor Osimhen of Napoli.
The Evening Standard reports that negotiations over a prospective transfer are already under way, meaning that the 21-year-old Senegal international might be available for about £30 million ($38m) this summer.
Elite clubs in Europe have expressed interest in Jackson as a result of his scorching form, which saw him score nine goals in Villarreal’s final eight La Liga games of the season.
He apparently won over new Chelsea manager Mauricio Pochettino, and he might be brought in to improve their dire goal-scoring predicament.
After learning about the ghastly costs of alternative market-available forward choices, the decision is made.
In particular, Victor Osimhen, who after a mesmerizing season with Napoli has drawn the attention of several elite-level clubs, leaving Napoli to profit with a rumored £100 million ($126 million) asking price.
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However, both Rasmus Hojlund of Atalanta and Dusan Vlahovic of Juventus are valued at more than £65 million ($82 million).
The Blues have even been connected with Paris Saint-Germain star Kylian Mbappe in the wake of recent sensational developments.
Chelsea would apparently be looking at a cost excess of £150m ($190m) for the Frenchman, not including his £893,000 ($1.1m)-per-week salary, should he ever wish to join the Premier League’s 12th-placed team.
Jackson, who the club has already paid £50 million ($63 million) for, might thus offer a less expensive option to pair incoming RB Leipzig attacker Christopher Nkunku up front.
Being that the Blues lost £121 million ($153 million) last year and the new ownership spent more than £600 million ($759 million), saving is even more crucial.
Therefore, Jackson’s purchase might have been a wise one as the team works to unload two of its own free agents, Romelu Lukaku and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang.
