Bayern Munich have finalized the signing of Nicolas Jackson from Chelsea on an initial loan that carries an obligation to buy, in a transfer valued at £70.5m (€81.5m).
The Bundesliga champions agreed to an increased loan fee of £14.25m (€16.4m), slightly higher than the previously discussed £13m (€15m), with a mandatory purchase clause set at £56.25m (€65m), triggered by appearances.
Chelsea had initially offered Bayern an option to buy, but later pushed for the clause to be an obligation. Talks briefly stalled after Blues forward Liam Delap picked up an injury against Fulham at the weekend, leaving Bayern under the impression that the deal might collapse.
However, Jackson was determined to make the switch to Germany and stayed in Munich while negotiations dragged on. His agent, Ali Barat, confirmed to Sky Sports News that his team was prepared to do “everything” to complete the transfer.
Agent reflects on tough negotiations
Barat admitted the deal was far from straightforward, with Chelsea’s stance influenced by the unexpected early return of Marc Guiu from his loan spell at Sunderland.
“This has to be one of the hardest and best deals we have done,” Barat said. “First of all, we are so pleased for Nico. He deserved this move.
“All seemed lost on Saturday night, but we weren’t leaving Munich until we had tried everything we could to get it over the line.
“We want to pass on our thanks to Chelsea for facilitating the move. We totally understood their situation, but they also appreciated the position Nico was in.
“He had his heart set on the move and they did everything to help him get it. And also a big thanks to Bayern. They showed huge desire and persistence to sign Nico – and never once told us it wasn’t going to happen.”
