Max Eberl confirms Bayern Munich will not trigger buy option for Chelsea FC’s Nicolas Jackson

Bayern Munich's Senegalese forward #11 Nicolas Jackson reacts during the German first division Bundesliga football match between 1 FSV Mainz 05 and FC Bayern Munich in Mainz, western Germany on April 25, 2026. (Photo by Kirill KUDRYAVTSEV / AFP via Getty Images) / DFL REGULATIONS PROHIBIT ANY USE OF

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What is the story about?

Bayern Munich’s bizarre loan signing of Nicolas Jackson from Chelsea FC seemed, at first, as if it came with an obligation to buy. The loan fee paid to Chelsea totaled 16.5 million euros and the apparent obligatory purchase was set at around 65 million euros.

But it turned out that said obligation would only be triggered if the Senegalese forward were to play 45 or more minutes in 40 or more games in the Bundesliga and Champions League combined. Until then, the obligation would simply remain an option.

Clearly, the Bavarians were confident Jackson would not meet that appearance record.

They were right. That much was already clear in November, but it is even more so now. With a maximum of 6 games left to play, Jackson has made just 29 appearances in all competitions and only 13 appearances that totaled over 45 minutes played. With the choice now clearly up to Bayern, the decision makers at Bayern, such as board member for sport Max Eberl, had to decide whether or not to trigger the option to buy of 65 million euros for the team’s backup striker.

Unsurprisingly, they did not decide to trigger it.

“We will not trigger the option for Nicolas Jackson,” Eberl explained on German television broadcaster ZDF, as captured by Florian Plettenberg.

That does not necessarily mean Bayern will not attempt to retain the 24-year-old. Perhaps the club will look to open negotiations with Chelsea about a purchase under the given buy option, similar to how Tottenham negotiated a lower fee for former Bayern striker Mathys Tel. Or perhaps the club will simply let him go, believing it best to go with a fresh new face at striker. Who knows?

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…