Italian giants Juventus are stepping up efforts to sign Senegal international Nicolas Jackson as uncertainty continues to surround the striker’s future at Chelsea FC.
The 24-year-old forward is expected to return to Stamford Bridge following the end of his loan spell at FC Bayern Munich, but reports suggest he is unlikely to be part of Chelsea’s long-term plans despite being contracted to the club until 2033.
That situation has triggered growing interest across Europe, with Juventus now emerging as the strongest contender for his signature ahead of the summer transfer window.
The Turin club have reportedly been monitoring Jackson for several weeks and are now pushing more aggressively to secure a deal.
According to reports from Italy, Juventus are exploring several possible options as they seek to strengthen their attacking department before the start of next season.
The interest comes after Bayern Munich decided not to activate the €65m option to make Jackson’s move permanent.
The Bundesliga champions’ decision effectively reopened the race for the Senegal striker and alerted a number of clubs across Europe and the Premier League.
Chelsea are believed to value Jackson at around £60m, a figure that could become a major talking point during negotiations.
While AC Milan had previously been linked with the striker, Italian reports now indicate the Serie A side are no longer actively pursuing the player.
That development appears to have cleared the path somewhat for Juventus, although competition remains intense.
In England, Newcastle United FC, Everton FC and Aston Villa FC are all understood to be keeping a close eye on the situation.
West Ham United FC have also reportedly expressed interest as they look to reinforce their attacking options.
French side Olympique de Marseille are among the clubs previously linked as well, highlighting the strong demand for a striker who remains highly regarded despite uncertainty over his club future.
Jackson’s time in Germany produced mixed but respectable returns.
During his loan spell at Bayern Munich, he made 29 appearances across all competitions, scoring 10 goals and providing four assists.
Those numbers were enough to maintain interest from several clubs, even though Bayern ultimately chose not to retain him permanently.
For Senegal, Jackson’s next move will be closely followed.
The striker remains one of the country’s leading attacking talents and is expected to play a significant role for the Teranga Lions in the coming years.
A potential move to Juventus would also continue the growing presence of African players at elite European clubs, particularly in Serie A, where several African internationals have rebuilt or eleTvated their careers in recent seasons.
With Chelsea seemingly open to a permanent transfer and multiple clubs monitoring developments, Jackson’s future is shaping up to become one of the most closely watched African transfer stories of the summer window.
