Liverpool sent transfer reminder as Chelsea names barely-believable Nicolas Jackson asking price

2 weeks ago 68

It is going to take a long time before anything feels normal again at Liverpool following the tragic passing of Diogo Jota, but the Reds will be back in action this weekend against Preston North End.

That will mark the first game since the heartbreaking news emerged about Jota and his brother, Andre Silva, and there are plans in place to commemorate the pair at Deepdale on Sunday. You'll Never Walk Alone will be sung before kick-off, for instance, and the players will wear black armbands.

Elsewhere around the Premier League, the summer transfer window is in full swing. Liverpool did some substantial business early in the window and there are still decisions to be made, but others are now clicking into gear.

Newcastle United this week committed to paying up to $74 million (£55 million) to sign Anthony Elanga from Nottingham Forest. Now, Chelsea is demanding as much as $117 million (£87 million) for Nicolas Jackson, the Daily Mail reports.

Having signed Liam Delap and Joao Pedro this summer and with Christopher Nkunku already on its books, Chelsea is hardly in dire need of Jackson in terms of bodies. AC Milan, as a result, is said to be interested.

At that sort of price point, though, there will be no takers for a player that Chelsea snapped up from Villarreal two years ago for a fee of around $43 million (£32 million). Even that, for a player who scored 13 goals last season, seems a little steep.

Arne Slot and Enzo Maresca

Amid talk that Napoli has walked away from a deal for Darwin Nunez because Liverpool was demanding too much for the Uruguayan, Chelsea's Jackson valuation does put things into perspective.

There are very few number nines available on the market and moving clubs, which probably also explains why Arsenal is willing to take something of a gamble on Sporting CP striker Viktor Gyokeres.

In addition to being something of a reminder on Nunez's worth, though, Chelsea's Jackson valuation is also another reminder of just how tricky it is to find value in the market.

Jackson has potential and has scored 30 goals in two seasons at Stamford Bridge. A little like Nunez, his record is better than many might be willing to admit.

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But at the same time, he also has a rawness about him that means there is still a substantial amount of development needed in his game.

When Elanga is going for upward of $70M after scoring six times last season, and Jackson, an inconsistent forward just as likely to get sent off as score, is pitched even more highly, finding a good value replacement for Nunez will be incredibly difficult.

For now, Liverpool has more important things on its mind: coming to terms with the loss of Jota and playing its first match since his passing, against Preston North End.

When the time comes, though, it will be glad that it got multiple signings wrapped up early in the window as the rest of the Premier League pays over the odds.

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