It looks like the Allianz Arena experiment is coming to a close. As of Thursday, March 5, 2026, reports from Foot Africa and transfer expert Fabrizio Romano indicate that Nicolas Jackson will return to Chelsea this summer, as Bayern Munich have decided not to trigger his permanent purchase option.
While "free" usually implies a contract expiry, in this case, it means Jackson is "free" from his Bayern loan commitment and available on the market again—though he remains under a massive contract with Chelsea until 2033.
"Nico Jackson will not stay at Bayern in the summer transfer window," Fabrizio Romano confirmed. "Bayern paid a €15m loan fee, but the player is expected to return to Chelsea to assess new opportunities."
The Escape Routes: Who is Next?
With Chelsea having signed Joao Pedro and Liam Delap during Jackson's absence, a return to the Blues' starting XI seems unlikely. However, three major suitors have already emerged:
AC Milan: The Rossoneri are reportedly the frontrunners. Having missed out on Santiago Gimenez, they view Jackson as a high-potential bargain for Serie A.
Aston Villa: Unai Emery is a huge admirer from their Villarreal days. With Ollie Watkins potentially seeking a new challenge, a £70m move to Villa Park is being discussed.
Saudi Pro League: Several clubs are monitoring the situation if a European agreement can't be reached, looking to bring another high-profile AFCON winner to the league.
The Verdict: Jackson’s time at Bayern was a classic case of "right player, wrong time." He remains a lethal asset on his day, and a move to a team where he is the undisputed #9 (like Milan or Villa) could reignite the form that saw him net 17 goals in his debut Chelsea season.