Manchester United are actively exploring options to bolster their attacking lineup this summer, with the club holding talks over a potential move for Chelsea striker Nicolas Jackson. The 24-year-old forward, who has been Chelsea’s first-choice striker since his arrival from Villarreal two seasons ago, now faces stiff competition following the arrivals of Joao Pedro and Liam Delap at Stamford Bridge.
According to multiple reports, including updates from BBC Sport journalist Nizaar Kinsella, United have engaged in early-stage discussions with Jackson’s agent, Ali Barat. While these talks are still in their infancy, they underscore the Red Devils' intent to refresh their frontline after securing wingers Matheus Cunha and Bryan Mbeumo, who together netted 35 Premier League goals last season.
The negotiations come amid a broader reshuffle in Manchester United’s squad. The club is also close to finalizing a loan deal for Marcus Rashford to Barcelona, which would free up space and funds for incoming transfers. However, significant outgoings are still required before any move for Jackson can be completed, reflecting the club’s need to balance their spending after investing approximately £127.5 million in new wide attackers.
Jackson’s tenure at Chelsea has been notable, with the Senegal international featuring in 81 games across all competitions and scoring 30 goals. Last season alone, he played 37 matches, contributing 13 goals and six assists. Despite this, his recent performances at the Club World Cup were underwhelming; he failed to score, was sent off in the match against Flamengo, and did not feature in the final. This dip in form, coupled with the arrival of new attacking options, has cast doubts on his future at Chelsea.
Interest in Jackson extends beyond Manchester United. Aston Villa and AC Milan have reportedly expressed strong interest, although Milan finds the player’s valuation to be prohibitively high. Chelsea, for their part, have made it clear they are not desperate to sell and would only entertain offers that meet their valuation.
United’s pursuit of a new striker has been a priority following a disappointing 2024/25 Premier League campaign where they finished 15th, largely due to a lack of goals. Bruno Fernandes was the club’s top scorer with 19 goals, while only three other players reached double figures across all competitions. The club’s strategy this summer has focused on injecting pace and creativity from wide positions before targeting a central striker to lead the line.
Earlier in the transfer window, Sporting CP’s Viktor Gyökeres was touted as a prime target for United, with manager Rúben Amorim pushing for his fourth summer signing. However, Gyökeres has since committed to Arsenal on a five-year contract, and reports suggesting United were attempting to hijack the deal have been firmly denied by transfer journalist Ben Jacobs. United have not made any formal offer for Gyökeres and have no plans to pursue him further.
The potential acquisition of Jackson would represent a significant statement by United as they aim to revamp their attacking options. Still, the club must navigate the complexities of balancing incoming and outgoing transfers. With Rashford’s loan move to Barcelona imminent, there is room for maneuver, but other departures will be necessary to fund any deal for the Chelsea forward.
Meanwhile, Chelsea are reportedly monitoring other attacking talents, including RB Leipzig’s Xavi Simons, valued at around €65 million, and Morgan Rogers. Simons, who can operate centrally and on the left wing, is attracting interest from Arsenal as well, indicating a competitive market for promising attackers this summer.
Jackson’s future remains uncertain as the transfer window progresses. While the expectation is that he will still be a Chelsea player by the end of the window, the situation is fluid and worth monitoring closely. Manchester United’s early talks signal their intent to act decisively should the right circumstances arise, potentially reshaping their attacking lineup ahead of the new season.
In summary, Manchester United’s pursuit of Nicolas Jackson highlights their commitment to strengthening their squad after a challenging season. The club’s strategic moves, including the signings of Cunha and Mbeumo and the loan exit of Rashford, set the stage for a busy summer of transfer activity focused on restoring their goal-scoring prowess.
