Manchester United make enquiries into signing ‘big talent’ from Chelsea amid £100m price tag rumours

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Manchester United are looking at potential striking additions this summer and may now look to raid a Premier League rival.

Manchester United face Arsenal on the opening weekend of the Premier League season in just over a month.

Ruben Amorim wanted attacking reinforcements ahead of the new season, but progress has been slow.

Unwanted forwards Marcus Rashford, Antony, Jadon Sancho and Alejandro Garnacho still haven’t found new clubs.

That makes United’s incoming business a little tricky, with Matheus Cunha’s move to Old Trafford the only attacking addition so far.

United continue to chase Bryan Mbeumo, but will surely turn the attention to a new centre forward once the Cameroonian joins.

• READ: Manchester United confirmed signings, transfers in, out, loan exits, releases for 2025/26

Manchester United interested in Chelsea’s Nicolas Jackson

United showed an interest in Viktor Gyokeres and will keep the Swede in mind if he can’t finalise a move to Arsenal.

Amorim will be keen for United to explore other targets, though, and could look a little closer to home.

L’Equipe and France Football reporter Nabil Djellit claims that United are now interested in signing Chelsea’s Nicolas Jackson.

It’s suggested that the ‘door is open’ for Jackson to leave Chelsea this summer, and a deal could move forward after the Club World Cup final on Sunday.

Djellit suggests that United have made enquiries into signing Jackson, alongside Premier League rivals Aston Villa.

Napoli are also keen on Jackson, with Chelsea demanding around €70million (£60million) for his signature.

This valuation may be wide of the mark, though, with the Daily Mail claiming that Chelsea actually want £100million for Jackson.

The 24-year-old joined Chelsea in 2023, having shown promise in the Villarreal attack.

Jackson has blown hot and cold, hitting 24 goals in 65 Premier League games, but often displaying erratic finishing and decision-making in the Chelsea attack.

This has been a difficult summer for Jackson, who picked up a red card against Flamengo at the Club World Cup.

Jackson was also sent off against Newcastle United in May, so there are questions about the striker’s future heading into the new Premier League season.

Not only have Chelsea signed Liam Delap this summer, but Joao Pedro has now completed a move to Stamford Bridge as well.

Jackson may fear slipping down the Chelsea pecking order, leaving United to consider a swoop for the Senegalese forward.

Nicolas Jackson makes more sense than Christopher Nkunku

Jackson is not the only Chelsea forward being linked with a move to Old Trafford.

United also fancy Chelsea’s Christopher Nkunku, another attacker who finds himself slipping down Enzo Maresca’s pecking order.

If we had the choice of Jackson or Nkunku, we would certainly go with the former.

Jackson has shown so much talent in terms of his pace and his runs in behind defenders, as well as his pressing from the front.

Praised as a ‘big talent’ by former Chelsea boss Mauricio Pochettino when speaking to BBC Sport, Jackson may still be a little raw, but he has shown the quality to score goals in the Premier League.

That isn’t to say that United should pay £100million for Jackson, or even the lower £60million asking price mentioned in France.

It’s difficult to see United meeting Chelsea’s demands, but Nkunku isn’t a natural centre forward and with United bringing in Cunha and pushing for Mbeumo, a true number nine is required.

Jackson would be much more appealing than Nkunku, though, and United may just keep tabs on his situation in the hope of seeing his price tag drop a little as the window progresses.