Chelsea's London rivals consider making late move for Blues target Nicolas Jackson - Reports
North London giants Tottenham Hotspur are reportedly considering making a move for Chelsea target and Villarreal attacker Nicolas Jackson.
According to English outlet The Sun (via Fichajes.net), new Chelsea manager Mauricio Pochettino, who's set to take charge on July 1, wants the club to sign Jackson.
Jackson has a £34 million release clause, and Pochettino is reportedly pushing the West Londoners to pay it. Chelsea, though, are not the only team interested in the 21-year-old striker, with Spurs also keeping tabs on him.
It has been claimed that Spurs are looking to strengthen their attack ahead of the 2023-24 season, and Jackson is of interest. They're studying the possibility of making a formal offer, which could be close to the young attacker’s release clause, stealing him away under their London rivals’ noses.
Jackson, who has won one senior cap with Senegal, enjoyed a stellar campaign for Villarreal in the 2022-23 season. In 38 games across competitions, he registered 13 goals and five assists. His contract with the Yellow Submarine expires in 2026.
Chelsea to sell first-team trio to Saudi Arabian clubs
Renowned Italian journalist Gianluca Di Marzio has said that Chelsea are looking to offload three of their first-team players to Saudi Arabia this summer. N’Golo Kante, who becomes a free agent on June 30, has agreed to join Saudi Pro League winners Al-Ittihad.
As per Di Marzio, goalkeeper Edouard Mendy could depart the club this summer. The Senegalese, who has slipped below Kepa Arrizabalaga in the pecking order, is being strongly linked with a move to Al-Ahli.
His compatriot, Kalidou Koulibaly, could also leave west London for Saudi Arabia; he's touted to join Al-Hilal. Moroccan winger Hakim Ziyech is being courted by Cristiano Ronaldo’s Al-Nassr.
Although their potential salaries have not been revealed, it's believed that all three players would enjoy significant pay bumps.
Ziyech and Mendy both have two years remaining on their contracts, while Koulibaly, who joined the club last summer, has three. It will be interesting to see how much the Stamford Bridge outfit demand for the three players this summer.