Chelsea set Nicolas Jackson transfer conditions as fresh striker exit plan emerges

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With two weeks remaining in the transfer window, there's still plenty of work to be done at Chelsea before their September 1 deadline.

It's been a busy summer so far for the Blues, with Joao Pedro, Jamie Gittens, and Jorrel Hato among the arrivals at Stamford Bridge. However, the focus has now shifted to outgoings in order to fund further moves for targets such as Alejandro Garnacho and Xavi Simons, both of whom remain of strong interest to Chelsea.

Enzo Maresca's men kicked off their Premier League campaign with a goalless draw at home to Crystal Palace, but it’s shaping up to be an exciting season with a return to Champions League football. After a summer dominated by the Club World Cup, squad depth will be key to sustaining a push on multiple fronts.

Here, football.london takes a closer look at the latest transfer news and rumours involving Chelsea;

Jackson price-tag 'set'

Chelsea have set their price tag for Nicolas Jackson at £60m as the club strive to continue their summer spending -according to The Mirror. The Senegal international is seeking the promise of regular game-time this season, which is something that may not be guaranteed following the arrivals of Pedro and Liam Delap.

The article notes that Newcastle United and Aston Villa remain actively linked ahead of the transfer deadline, and any potential move could give Chelsea the financial flexibility to pursue deals for Alejandro Garnacho and Xavi Simons. While the Blues are not desperate to move Jackson on, they are open to a sale, and will not stand in his way should he choose to leave.

football.london says: As the window drags on, Jackson's asking price appears to be dropping with each passing day. What was once a £100m valuation quickly became a reported £80m - and that now seems to be set at £60m. While it's unlikely to fall much further, there appear to be few suitors willing to meet such a high price.

It remains to be seen whether or not Newcastle or Villa step up interest, although the former might be the more feasible destination given their greater financial muscle.

Nkunku exit latest

Another of Chelsea's wantaway attacking players is Christopher Nkunku. The Frenchman has failed to live up to expectations following his big-money move from the Bundesliga in the summer of 2023.

Bayern Munich have been linked with the 27-year-old in recent days - although the latest reports suggest their league rivals RB Leipzig may now be leading the race. A report from The Athletic claims Nkunku's former club are stepping up talks with Chelsea over a potential transfer, with discussions focused on a permanent deal. The player is understood to be open to a return.

The report adds that Bayern's preference for a loan move proved to be a stumbling block, and it's worth noting that a deal with Leipzig is not yet at an advanced stage, with other options still under consideration. Chelsea are believed to value Nkunku at just over £40m.

football.london says: This could be a good move for all parties, especially if both sides are open to a permanent deal rather than a loan. Given Chelsea are already in talks with RB Leipzig over Simons, it could make negotiations smoother. Whether Leipzig can, or want to, meet Chelsea's valuation is another matter entirely.

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