Overview

• Aston Villa are described as being in pole position for Nicolas Jackson, though talks are complicated by Chelsea’s preference for a sale or a loan with purchase obligation.
• Villa have also contacted Chelsea over Christopher Nkunku, but Chelsea are blocking straightforward loans as they seek firm commitments.
• Bayern Munich sporting director Max Eberl said Jackson is “no topic” for them and stated their focus is loan deals, yet separate reports claim Jackson has agreed personal terms with Bayern on a proposed loan that would include an obligation to buy.
• Enzo Maresca signalled that solutions for Jackson and Nkunku are preferred before the deadline, reinforcing their status as available as Chelsea trim attacking numbers after adding João Pedro and Liam Delap.
• RB Leipzig’s Marcel Schafer indicated the club won’t stand in Xavi Simons’ way if terms are right, and reports say Chelsea have personal terms agreed but will wait to move until departures are secured.