Everton were interested in signing Nicolas Jackson before being surprised by Chelsea’s move to sign the Villarreal striker.
Chelsea blew Everton out of the water financially in their move to sign striker Nicolas Jackson from Villarreal.
That is according to The Athletic, who report that Jackson was one of Everton’s attacking targets early in the window.
However, the Toffees missed out when Chelsea offered ‘more favourable payment terms’ to beat Everton to a deal.
It’s added that Chelsea’s move was considered a real surprise as most expected Jackson to make an intermediate move.
A switch to a club like Everton – before then moving on to Chelsea – was expected for Jackson but the Blues swooped right in.
How much did Chelsea pay for Nicolas Jackson?
Sky Sports reported in July that Chelsea had agreed to pay above Jackson’s £30million release clause – around £32million.
Rather than pay the clause in one go, Chelsea paid above the clause in order to spread the payments out.
Those are seemingly the payment terms which won Chelsea the race and left Everton to look elsewhere.
Everton did end up signing an attacker from Villarreal though as Arnaut Danjuma finally arrived having snubbed a January deal at the last minute.
Jackson having mixed start to life in England
Jackson has certainly looked threatening in a Chelsea shirt.
Daniel Sturridge has been hugely impressed, likening Jackson to Didier Drogba whilst praising his ‘blistering pace’.
Jackson has shown decent link-up play and a real ability to run in behind with some impressive movement.
The problem is that Jackson hasn’t exactly looked clinical yet.
The 22-year-old has only scored one Premier League goal so far and has been guilty of missing some big chances, none bigger than an absolute sitter against Nottingham Forest last weekend.
Jackson is exciting and has huge potential but he still has a long way to go if he is to be Chelsea’s long-term answer up front.
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