Chelsea Star Christopher Nkunku Seals Dramatic Exit as Nicolas Jackson Eyes Blockbuster 'Record' Loan Deal
AC Milan have officially announced the acquisition of striker Christopher Nkunku from Chelsea, while the London club has reportedly secured a "record-breaking" loan arrangement with Bayern Munich for Nicolas Jackson.
The Blues are once more seeking to overhaul their attacking options during this transfer window, having already brought in Liam Delap, João Pedro and Jamie Gittens, plus the highly anticipated signing of Estêvão. A transfer for Alejandro Garnacho from Manchester United is also nearing finalization.
To accommodate Garnacho's arrival, Chelsea have permitted Nkunku's move to Milan, with the Italian giants announcing the French player's permanent transfer on Saturday. The transaction is understood to be valued at approximately €42 million (£36.4 million, $49.1 million).
"We express our gratitude to Christo for his contributions during his tenure at the club and extend our best wishes as he embarks on a new phase in his career," Chelsea stated officially.
Jackson is expected to depart alongside Nkunku after Chelsea reached an agreement with Bayern regarding a loan arrangement for the Senegalese striker.
Fabrizio Romano initially broke the story, disclosing that Bayern have committed to a €15 million loan fee, including an optional buy clause valued at €65 million. Chelsea will maintain a sell-on percentage should Jackson make his move to Munich permanent.
As reported by Sky Sports News, the €15 million figure establishes a new benchmark for single-season loan arrangements—a crucial requirement from Chelsea to move away from a mandatory purchase option.
Ex-Blues forward Álvaro Morata has previously attracted higher loan fees, though across extended periods. Juventus paid €10 million for his temporary transfer from Atlético Madrid in 2020 before exercising an option for an identical fee for another season, while his Chelsea departure in 2019 involved an 18-month loan totaling €18 million.
The record-breaking nature of Jackson's €15 million fee remains questionable, however, given contradictory reports regarding Giovani Lo Celso's loan transfer to Tottenham Hotspur in 2019, with some sources suggesting Spurs paid up to €16 million for that arrangement.
Jackson's departure will facilitate the unexpected signing of Facundo Buonanotte, who is scheduled to join Chelsea from Brighton & Hove Albion on a simple one-year loan deal.