Passed Over Jackson's First Chance to Come Back to Bite the Blues
Forward Nicolas Jackson played a key role in one of the summer window's most gripping deal narratives, but ultimately secured his desire by joining Bayern Munich on loan from Chelsea.
It was clear to all parties in the deal that the young forward would soon meet his former team when Bayern host Chelsea in their opening Champions League fixture on Wednesday.
Individuals assisting seal the stop-start agreement had ample opportunity around a frantic deadline day to talk about his debut for the German super club in the elite Champions League.
Jackson remained in Germany all along as a deal was concluded on Saturday morning, before permission to have a medical was called off because of a serious hamstring injury to west London attacker Liam Delap.
Yet the deal was back on by Monday's deadline.
Throughout that period, Jackson told his representatives he was eager to facing, and potentially scoring against, Chelsea.
Such emotion captures some of the sentiments as Jackson left Stamford Bridge.
He may well to feel he has a score to settle to some of the Chelsea fans that were not entirely supportive of him, especially jeering him during ex-coach Mauricio Pochettino's spell.
Some of the management, including head coach Enzo Maresca, also grew wary in him after two red cards against Newcastle United in the Premier League and Flamengo in the Club World Cup at the end of last season.
That fracturing of the bond between Jackson and Chelsea, along with the arrival of strikers Joao Pedro and Delap, facilitated his departure of west London.
During his presentation at Bayern, Jackson said: "It was challenging - a hard spell. Difficult moments in those last days. But I was very confident I will stay here because this is where I want to play and wish to remain.
"Bayern's chief, and the coach really wanted me. It was very tough but in the end we got it, so I'm very glad.
"I observed Bayern for years. It was a dream to join this giant institution. When they contacted me I was thrilled and prepared to come and play for them."
Yet, this turbulent transfer saga is only over for now, because the deal - a temporary move with a requirement to buy - may not be watertight.
Will Jackson Join Bayern Long-Term?
Jackson signed for Bayern Munich on deadline day for a £14.3m loan fee - nearly a global benchmark amount for a short-term move - with a contingent commitment to buy for £56.2m.
Only the loan moves that took Alvaro Morata from Chelsea to Atletico Madrid and then from the Spanish club to Juventus commanded bigger fees.
But, according to numerous German media reports, the stipulations to make the loan deal long-lasting are hard to fulfill.
Uli Hoeness, the one-time attacker who is an prominent voice on Bayern's board, told Sky Germany during the international break: "He is unlikely to feature 40 games from the start.
"There remain 32 Bundesliga games. If we make it to the Champions League final, which we hope we will, that adds 13 games. The combined is 45 games.
"The DFB Pokal games do not count. So he would have to start every fixture. He will go to the Africa Cup of Nations in January, so he won't be able to begin 40 games."
Further clarification has been given that every game of 45 minutes or more would count as a "start" for Jackson.
Hoeness further stated that Jackson's Epic Sport agency, headed by Ali Barat, covered the extra £1.3m added to the loan fee by Chelsea in the two days before deadline, while suggesting the possibility that the Senegal striker could rejoin west London next summer.
During inquiries about the arrangement at his unveiling press conference, Jackson said: "That's beyond my control, my job is just to perform, make my team win and find the net frequently. My focus is only on aiming for big things."
Regardless, Chelsea are content regarding the finances involved and such a high loan fee could motivate Bayern to buy Jackson next summer.
Bayern sources have also indicated that, if Jackson excels and displays a constructive approach over the season-long stint, he will find a permanent home in Bavaria.
Their plan is for him to both compete with and enhance star striker Harry Kane.
Jackson completed his debut as a interval replacement for the Bundesliga titleholders during their 5-0 win over Hamburg on Saturday, coming on for Serge Gnabry and joining forces with the England captain.
"In my view he looked sharp," said Kane. "At sessions, he's looked quite promising. It's difficult coming into a team like us when we're so well-drilled.
"Athletically is very strong and fast. And if he plays, he'll be eager to impress. But I aim not to put excessive expectations on him too soon.
"He realizes he's adapting to the team. So far he's had a excellent mindset and the willingness to learn is the most important thing."
Jackson operates as a number nine or on the left wing, so has alternatives in terms of position. And at Bayern, he escapes the pressure of needing to be the top finisher, while his association with the England captain can only aid his progress in the future.
"What I hope is that he finds the net frequently for us. I think he'll achieve that," said Bayern boss Vincent Kompany.
The ball is now in Jackson's court. He can either stand out and stay at one of the world's biggest clubs or take a comparable route to Jadon Sancho, who went back to Manchester United for a financial penalty as Chelsea escaped their previous £20m obligation-to-buy agreement.
What Led to It Not Work Out at Chelsea?
The Blues and Jackson's representatives argue the forward's time at Chelsea was a success.
The club invested in three months of exceptional form at Villarreal and decided to activate his £32m exit fee in 2023. He had greatly risen in value over a two-year period.
Jackson had merely been a pro player for five years - six years prior to his move to Chelsea, he was competing on sandy recreational fields in his Senegalese birthplace of Ziguinchor.
Everyone knew Jackson was a rough diamond, having played just 1,758 minutes of first-division soccer, but he soon became as Chelsea's lead attacker.
Understandably, given the rapidity of his rise, there were occasions where Jackson struggled.
According to Opta data, Jackson fell short of his projected tally by a score of -7 over the past two seasons, which is the second-worst total in the Premier League, exceeded only by Leeds United striker Dominic Calvert-Lewin.
Wayward shooting drew criticism from fans, and he is known to have been affected by that pressure. Jackson would have sequences of successful finishes but then experience long barren spells.
When asked about his exit, Maresca said: "He is a Bayern Munich player. I contacted him and expressed my support. He trained hard when he was here. There's nothing more I can say."
However, Jackson scored more than Chelsea legend Didier Drogba in his first season - netting 14 goals to the Ivory Coast striker's 10. He then notched 21 goals in his first 50 games to tie one of Africa's top forwards at Stamford Bridge.
The London club are likely to make substantial profit, whether