Atletico Madrid approach Chelsea for Nicolas Jackson loan as Alvarez exit looms

Atletico Madrid have approached Chelsea about a loan deal for striker Nicolas Jackson, with discussions including a potential obligation to buy the 25-year-old Senegalese forward, according to reports.

Chelsea, however, would prefer an outright sale as they look to clear a number of squad players before the transfer deadline in eight days. That preference may complicate Atletico’s pursuit, with Aston Villa also considering a move for Jackson — and currently seen as the more likely destination precisely because a permanent transfer is expected.

Atletico are understood to have proposed several differently structured loan arrangements to Chelsea, reflecting their desire for flexibility in a deal that could have significant knock-on effects across the market.

Chief among those implications is the future of Julian Alvarez. Should Atletico secure Jackson as a replacement, it would ease the path for the Argentine’s own exit — a saga described as already protracted. Barcelona and Arsenal have both been linked with Alvarez, with the latter understood to be monitoring the situation closely.

Chelsea, meanwhile, are open to bringing in a versatile attacker of their own, contingent on completing sufficient outgoings first. Marcus Rashford is one option that has been discussed internally as the club attempts to reshape its squad before the window closes.