Tottenham Hotspur are interested in signing Chelsea striker Nicolas Jackson, according to sources who confirmed the interest to Daily Mail Sport. No formal approach has been made yet to open club-to-club talks, it is understood, but the 25-year-old Senegalese is under consideration at Spurs.
Tottenham manager Roberto De Zerbi wants to strengthen his attack after spending almost £250 million bolstering his defensive and midfield departments this summer, with Sandro Tonali, Mateus Fernandes, Jan Paul van Hecke, Andy Robertson and Marcos Senesi among the club's signings.
Speaking during Tottenham's pre-season tour in Sydney, Australia, De Zerbi said he estimated the transfer window was only "60 per cent" complete. He also admitted Richarlison, who scored Spurs' stoppage-time winner in a 2-1 friendly win over Chelsea, could still leave the club this summer.
Chelsea value Jackson at £65 million, with Aston Villa also among his admirers. Villa would have to strike a permanent deal because they have already taken Alejandro Garnacho on loan. Jackson is open to leaving Chelsea for more guaranteed game time.
Tottenham's sporting director Johan Lange, formerly of Villa, has admired Jackson for some time, including before De Zerbi's arrival as head coach.
Rare business between rivals
Transfers between Tottenham and Chelsea are rare. Gus Poyet joined Spurs for a small fee in 2001, and Chelsea let Carlo Cudicini join Tottenham on a free transfer in 2009 by agreeing to cut short his contract. In February this year, Joel Vidal-Philbert moved from Chelsea's academy to Tottenham's.
Chelsea's striker surplus
Chelsea currently have too many strikers on their books after signing 35-year-old Danny Welbeck from Brighton, and it is accepted they need to sell or loan at least two. Alongside Jackson and Welbeck, Chelsea's other striking options are Liam Delap, Emmanuel Emegha, Marc Guiu and 24-year-old Brazilian Joao Pedro, who is considered more likely to sign a new contract than be sold.
Jackson is seen as one of Chelsea's more sellable strikers because he remains highly regarded in football. He spent the 2025-26 season on loan at Bayern Munich after his relationship with Enzo Maresca broke down, but he had impressed at Stamford Bridge before that move. He reached double figures in Premier League goals in both the 2023-24 and 2024-25 seasons.
Jackson has now rejoined the Chelsea squad in Hong Kong after taking time off following Senegal's World Cup campaign. Manager Xabi Alonso wanted to take a closer look at the striker before deciding what the club do next. Chelsea face Juventus in a friendly on Wednesday.
