Nicolas Jackson refuses Chelsea return amid Bayern stand-off as Garnacho signs in £40m deal

Chelsea striker Nicolas Jackson is refusing to return to London in a dramatic standoff with the club after his proposed loan move to Bayern Munich collapsed — on the very same day the Blues sealed the £40 million signing of Alejandro Garnacho.

Jackson, 24, flew into Munich on Saturday expecting to finalise a season-long loan with the German champions, with Bayern set to pay £13m for the deal. The agreement also included a £56m option to buy next summer.

But while Jackson was in the air, Chelsea’s plans changed abruptly. Liam Delap suffered a hamstring injury during the 2-0 win over Fulham, sidelining him for up to eight weeks. The setback forced Chelsea to pull the plug on Jackson’s move, informing both the player and Bayern that the transfer was off.

Video footage had shown Jackson smiling upon his arrival in Bavaria, only for news to break shortly after that Chelsea had withdrawn their permission. According to The Sun, the Senegal international was due to undergo a medical at 2pm local time before the late U-turn.

Player digs in

Jackson is said to be furious at the decision and has so far refused to fly back to the UK. His agent, Ali Barat, is still working to try and salvage the deal, with Bayern also keen to revive negotiations before Monday’s deadline.

Diomansy Kamara, a former Fulham and West Brom striker who is part of Jackson’s entourage, fuelled speculation with a pointed message on Instagram. Sharing a post declaring “We’re not going back,” he added: “The plane does not go backwards.”

Garnacho joins Chelsea

While the Jackson saga rumbles on, Chelsea confirmed the arrival of Alejandro Garnacho from Manchester United in a deal worth £40m. The Argentina winger, 21, has signed a long-term contract at Stamford Bridge until 2032.

“It’s an incredible moment for my family and I to join this great club,” Garnacho said. “I can’t wait to get started. I watched the Club World Cup and to join the world champions is special – we’re the best team in the world.”

Garnacho becomes Chelsea’s ninth summer signing and manager Enzo Maresca’s fifth attacking addition, following the arrivals of Joao Pedro, Liam Delap, Estevão and Jamie Gittens.

Maresca had publicly outlined his desire for another left-sided attacker to compete with Gittens, and Garnacho now fills that role. The winger could make his debut away at Brentford after the international break.

Chelsea’s busy transfer window continues, with Maresca still hoping to strengthen his defensive options before the deadline.