Chelsea transfer news: Blues 'assessing contingency plans' as Bayern Munich react to Nicolas Jackson drama

Chelsea are reportedly contemplating whether to delve into the transfer market amidst the drama involving Nicolas Jackson.

On Saturday afternoon, Liam Delap suffered a hamstring injury during the early stages of the 2-0 victory over Fulham in the Premier League.

In the hours after Enzo Maresca suggested that the Englishman could be absent for six to eight weeks, it became clear that Chelsea wanted to stop Jackson from signing for Bayern Munich on loan.

Having been exiled from the Chelsea first-team squad since the start of pre-season, the desire being to sell him for the biggest price possible, the Senegal international has allegedly reacted angrily and still wants to sign for the Bundesliga champions.

As a result, Chelsea have been left with the dilemma of persisting with their intentions to keep an unhappy player in the hope that he will settle back into life at the club, or let him leave and consider alternatives.

Chelsea contemplating move for Sporting attacker

According to The Athletic, Chelsea are assessing contingency plans with Sporting Lisbon attacker Conrad Harder said to be an option.

The report alleges that the world champions have already enquired about what it would take to sign the 20-year-old.

Harder has contributed 12 goals and seven assists from his 52 appearances for Sporting, but he remains with just 58 minutes of football across four Primeira Liga matches in 2025-26.

As such, the one-cap Denmark international is seemingly not viewed as a first-choice pick by Sporting, albeit his potential has been recognised with a long-term contract.

Chelsea have a strong working relationship with Sporting having recently signed Dario Essugo from the Portuguese giants with Geovany Quenda moving to the West Londoners at a later date.

Bayern react to Jackson drama

Meanwhile, Bayern have acknowledged that they face their own uncertainty over Jackson and currently have little choice but allow him to return to Chelsea. Jackson had already been in Munich to undergo a medical.

Director of sport Max Eberl told Sky Deutschland: "Chelsea have informed us that they want the player back – after we had reached an agreement yesterday and were allowed to conduct the medical.

"Now the situation is that the boy is in Munich and we have to send him back. That’s the current state of affairs, I can’t look into the future."

The Athletic claims that Chelsea will now only consider the permanent sale of Jackson, rather than the £13m loan deal that they had previously agreed with Bayern.