Manchester United can sign Nicolas Jackson if Chelsea open to Alejandro Garnacho swap deal

Contradictory reports are coming in from England about the asking price of Chelsea striker Nicolas Jackson. However, it was confirmed that Manchester United had made enquries for the Senegal striker ever since it became evident that Sporting Lisbon striker Viktor Gyokeres preferred Arsenal over them. 

Earlier it was claimed that Chelsea had put a price tag of £100 million on their young striker. While some reports claimed that the United interest have convinced the Blues to bring down the asking price to £43 million, Sky Sports refuted this. While it agreed that Chelsea reduced the demand, they will not settle for any sum below £80 million, the news website said. 

Liverpool signing Hugo Ekitike for £79 million has convinced Chelsea that Jackson can't be sold for a rate lesser than that, Sky Sports said. Thus, even though the £100 million demand has been shelved, the African striker will remain a costly option for potential bidders.

Also in the mix of things is the fact that the FIFA Club World Cup winners are in no hurry to sell the star as his current contract runs until 2033. As far as Manchester United is considered, their best bet is a swap dealing involving Jackson and Alejandro Garnacho.

Chelsea are tracking the 20-year-old winger who was earlier linked to Napoli. Chelsea can't plan another big budget signing before offloading somebody and a swap deal could be a win-win for both sides if they arw certain that they got the right player. However, such a conversation is a long way away, English media reports claimed. 

Jackson has an estimated market value of around £43m, which is a similar value to how United have priced Garnacho. It raises the question of whether a swap deal could be completed, which would see the Argentine move to Chelsea, and Jackson come to Old Trafford.

Nicolas Jackson's Chelsea future

Jackson, 24, is rightly concerned about his chances of making Chelsea's starting eleven following the arrivals of Liam Delap from Ipswich and João Pedro from Brighton & Hove Albion. 

Manchester United reportedly feel that his proven experience in the Premier League is not something to be overlooked if Gyokeres deal falls flat and they need to find an alternative. Jackson has registered 30 goals and 12 assists from 81 games across all competitions for Chelsea. 

He joined Chelsea from Villarreal in a £32 million deal in July 2023.

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