Big claims on Nicolas Jackson to Newcastle – Advanced talks or agent-driven?

Newcastle’s striker search remains up in the air and is reaching the point of desperation now, with the window shutting a week on Monday.

If Alexander Isak leaves, which looks increasingly unlikely as time goes by, we’ll need to sign two. But even if the Swede stays, we’ll need one to replace the released Callum Wilson.

Nicolas Jackson’s name has emerged once again over the past 48 hours, first through Fabrizio Romano, who claims we have been making calls over a potential deal for the Chelsea forward.

But there has also been some big claims made by Sky journalist Sacha Tavolieri, who wrote this on X regarding Newcastle and Bayern Munich’s active interest:

‘In the coming days, the goal of agent Ali Barat is to transfer Nicolas Jackson either to FC Bayern or to Newcastle United, both ready to meet player’s conditions & in advanced negotiations with Chelsea.

‘As a reminder, Bayern won’t make direct transfer payment (they want loan only). Wait and see.’

Interestingly, agent Ali Barat was the man who held talks with Newcastle chiefs back in July, travelling to our training camp in Austria to discuss a deal for Hugo Ekitike before Liverpool swooped in.

Strong claims to suggest Newcastle are ready to meet the player’s demands and are in ‘advanced negotiations’ with both. But is this the reality or an agent-driven media push to encourage a bidding war, knowing Aston Villa are also in the mix?

Villa have been heavily linked with the 24-year-old this week, with Unai Emery keen to be reunited with the man he worked with a Villarreal, although their PSR issues make it unclear how they can facilitate a big-money permanent move.

With a £40m bid rejected for Yoane Wissa and Wolves’ Jorgen Stand Larsen a hugely expensive alternative based on their reluctance to sell, are we back in for Jackson or is this a story sold to whip up more interest?