Richard Hughes, Sporting Director of Liverpool, is a big fan of Nicolas Jackson, who brings almost the Senegal star to the Premier League, well before his Chelsea
Richard Hughes, Liverpool sports director, was painfully close to the signing of Nicolas Jackson, only for the transfer to fall through at the last minute. The Premier League champions are looking for a new striker this summer, with Alexander Isak and Hugo Ekitike at the top of their wish list.
After playing more than £ 200 million in the transfer window so far, the Reds are now starting their efforts to strengthen their forward line. Liverpool still has to be officially offered on Isak or approach Newcastle United, but there is a growing feeling that he can be seduced by a new challenge at Anfield, reports the Liverpool Echo.
If Liverpool is unable to lure Isak from St. James' park, they can consider taking a step for Ekitike, with Newcastle already in discussions with Eintracht Frankfurt about the Frenchman. Isak and Ekitike are not the only strikers that are linked to Liverpool. Viktor Gyokees, who comes close to Arsenal, and Victor Osimhen has also drawn the eye of the club.
The current Chelsea striker Jackson has also been emphasized, a player admired by Reds -sports director Hughes from his time in Bournemouth. That does not necessarily mean that Liverpool will chase the Senegal International.
However, with Chelsea that João Pedro and Liam Delap has already signed this summer, Jackson's future at Stamford Bridge is far from certain, although the blues reportedly hit a price tag of £ 100 million on him.
The earlier interest of Hughes in Jackson was strong, so much even that he was about to sign him for Bournemouth. Jackson played for Villarreal when the Cherries corresponded to a transfer costs of £ 20.3 million in January 2023.
The promising striker had appeared to draw for Southampton, only for Hughes to intervene. The deal seemed almost done, with visual material that Jackson appeared on board a private jet to the UK to conclude discussions.
A hamstring injury, however, discovered during his medical saw Bournemouth breaking down the transaction because they chose not to risk waiting for his return to full fitness in the midst of their relegation struggle.
Once back on the field in March, Jackson did not miss a beat, with 10 goals gene in his last 11 games of the term for Villarreal, a streak that attracted Chelsea's eye, with his £ 32 million switch to the blues in June 2023.
Cherries -owner Bill Foley has since admitted that it was not a mistake with the Jackson deal. He said: “We tried to get him back this year, we had him last year and I believe we made a mistake. He did not endure his medical, but he actually played much earlier than we thought he would do that.”
Jackson has scored 30 goals in 81 performances for Chelsea, which contributes to their triumphs in the club World Cup and Europe Conference League. After the arrivals of Pedro and Delap, however, his position at Chelsea looks precarious, which may clear the road for a movement.