Chelsea want £100m for Jackson - Saturday's gossip

The summer transfer window is still some weeks away, but the rumour mill is already spinning at full throttle, with eye-watering valuations and unexpected targets dominating the headlines. Leading the charge this Saturday is Chelsea, who have reportedly slapped a staggering £100 million price tag on young striker Nicolas Jackson, a figure that has sent ripples through the European football landscape and highlights the current inflationary trend in the market.

Jackson, who arrived at Stamford Bridge last summer, has shown flashes of potential but has also faced criticism for inconsistency in front of goal. Despite this, Chelsea’s audacious valuation suggests they either believe his long-term potential warrants such a fee, or they are attempting to deter any potential suitors entirely. This move could also be a strategic play to bolster their financial fair play standing, valuing assets highly to balance the books, especially given their significant spending over recent windows. Any club hoping to prise the Senegalese international away from West London would need to break their bank, making the pool of potential buyers incredibly small and adding a layer of intrigue to what could be a pivotal summer for the Blues' squad restructuring.

Meanwhile, across the continent, Barcelona’s relentless pursuit of a new left winger has reportedly led them to Manchester United’s Marcus Rashford. The Catalan giants are known to be operating under tight financial constraints, yet their interest in a player of Rashford’s profile, albeit one who has endured a challenging season, signals their intent to add a proven, albeit inconsistent, goal threat. United’s willingness to part with their academy graduate could depend heavily on their own managerial situation and summer plans. Elsewhere, another Manchester United outcast, Jadon Sancho, appears to be nearing an exit, with Juventus reportedly agreeing a fee for the English winger. Sancho's loan spell at Borussia Dortmund has seen him rediscover some form, making a permanent move away from Old Trafford increasingly likely and offering him a fresh start in Serie A, a league that could suit his technical style.