Why Bayern Munich must consider keeping Nicolas Jackson

PARIS, FRANCE - MARCH 28: Nicolas Jackson #11 of Senegal looks on before the international friendly match between Senegal and Peru at Stade de France on March 28, 2026 in Paris, France. (Photo by Catherine Steenkeste/Getty Images) | Getty Images This guest post was written by Zach Lowy, Chief Editor

Summarized by AI ⓘ

What is the story about?

This guest post was written by Zach Lowy, Chief Editor and Social Media Manager of BreakingTheLines.com. Zach is a successful journalist and can be followed at @ZachLowy on X and ‪

@zachlowy.bsky.social‬ on Bluesky. Zach’s work can also be found on FotMob, BetUS and others.

Bayern Munich signed Nicolas Jackson on loan from Chelsea last summer to provide cover for England captain Harry Kane.

While Kane’s stellar form has limited Jackson’s opportunities, he has shown enough to suggest that he is worth

keeping at the club.

Read on as we look at Jackson’s impact at Bayern, before assessing whether they should make him a permanent acquisition this summer.

Jackson settled into his new surroundings

Jackson initially took time to settle at Bayern, but he has started to demonstrate why they should consider making his move permanent.

He recently delivered a masterful performance against Atalanta in the Champions League and played a key role as Bayern tore Borussia Monchengladbach apart in the Bundesliga.

While his link-up play is nowhere near as effective as Kane’s, the Senegalese striker is adept at receiving the ball on the turn and connecting with his teammates.

It was unsurprising that Jackson initially struggled after the way the summer transfer window unfolded, but he has gradually picked up steam.

Now he has a better understanding of Bayern, he could play an even more prominent role next season if they decide to keep him on board. That may be easier said than done.

His loan agreement included a £56.2 million obligation to buy if he reached a certain number of appearances for Bayern.

That tally is not set to be triggered and Bayern are reportedly not considering making the move permanent. They would be well advised to reconsider their stance.

Alternative options are thin on the ground

Bayern have been linked with several other forwards including Nick Woltemade, who left Stuttgart for Newcastle United last summer as part of a record-breaking transfer window for the Premier League.

The jump has proven too much for the German international to handle. His lack of impact at centre-forward resulted in manager Eddie Howe switching him into midfield. The move did not work.

Bayern reportedly want to bring him back to the Bundesliga, but the hierarchy must consider that his confidence may be shot after an uninspiring spell with the Magpies.

Newcastle paid £69.5m for Woltemade and will be eager to recoup a chunk of the fee to let him go after only one season. Bayern will be reluctant to pay such a hefty sum.

The reigning Bundesliga champions have also been linked with Fisnik Asllani, who is enjoying a stellar season with Hoffenheim. However, he lacks experience and a move to Bayern may be too soon for him.

Chelsea return looks unlikely

Jackson ultimately failed to convince Chelsea that he was the right man to lead their attack. Despite their recent change of manager, a return to Stamford Bridge looks unlikely.

The Blues currently have Joao Pedro and Liam Delap in their squad, so Jackson’s chances of featuring regularly are fairly remote.

The London club may feel that there will be interest from elsewhere this summer, but it is unlikely they will get close to the £56.2m clause in his current loan deal.

On that basis, Bayern have an opportunity to secure a cut-price move for a player who has shown that he can be a useful asset as a back-up to Kane.

Bayern should move for Jackson this summer

Ultimately, Bayern should not overcomplicate a situation that has a logical solution.

Jackson has shown enough in a short span to suggest he can thrive in Vincent Kompany’s system, particularly as a rotational option behind Kane.

He works extremely hard defensively, starting the press and trying to win the ball back high up the pitch. Those traits are ideal for a back-up option.

His overzealousness can sometimes get the better of him, as evidenced when he picked up a red card against Bayer Leverkusen and during the Club World Cup last summer.

However, if Kompany can keep him in check, Jackson is a fascinating centre-forward who could develop into a top player under the right conditions.

If the club can renegotiate with Chelsea, either by extending the loan with a realistic obligation to buy or striking a permanent deal for around £30m, the move becomes is a low-risk transfer.

His underlying numbers highlight that he is a forward who consistently gets into good positions, while his link-up play fits seamlessly with Bayern’s fluid attack.

Refinement in front of goal is the missing piece for Jackson, and there are few better mentors in world football than Kane to accelerate that development.

Continuity also matters for clubs such as Bayern. Jackson is settled in Germany, understands the demands and is improving rapidly.

In a market where the alternatives are either overpriced or underwhelming, Bayern should keep him and invest in his development rather than gamble their money elsewhere.

This guest post was written by Zach Lowy, Chief Editor and Social Media Manager of BreakingTheLines.com. Zach is a successful journalist and can be followed at @ZachLowy on X and ‪@zachlowy.bsky.social‬ on Bluesky. Zach’s work can also be found on FotMob, BetUS and others.

You can also read some of Zach’s other work below:

If you are looking for more Bayern Munich and German national team coverage, check out the latest episodes of Bavarian Podcast Works, which you can get on Acast, Spotify, Apple, or any leading podcast distributor…