Nicolas Jackson is getting started at Bayern after the international break. On Friday, the new signing looked back on the ups and downs of the past few weeks.
Fortunately, Nicolas Jackson has become accustomed to flying by now, otherwise the past two weeks would have been almost impossible to handle.
For the new Bayern Munich striker, life has been a whirlwind of airports, matches, negotiations, and training sessions. His adventurous journey reached a temporary pause on Thursday, when he finally returned to Munich just like fellow internationals Harry Kane and Luis Díaz and trained with his new teammates for the very first time.
Only days earlier, on Tuesday evening, Jackson had still been in Kinshasa, playing for Senegal in a crucial World Cup qualifier. In that match, the 24-year-old showcased his resilience and importance for the national team by scoring a decisive equalizer in their 3–2 victory. That goal highlighted why Bayern had pushed so hard to secure his services. Yet, just four days later, he could already be making his Bundesliga debut against Hamburger SV, a testament to how quickly football can move at the elite level. “I can’t wait to play,” Jackson admitted during his official presentation at Säbener Straße on Friday, where the reigning German champions introduced him to the media.
His path to Munich, however, was anything but straightforward. The adventurous journey was not only geographical from Central Africa to southern Germany in just a few days but also administrative and emotional. Bayern initially seemed uninterested in pursuing him from Chelsea, then attempted to arrange a loan deal, only to see it fall through. At one point, Chelsea appeared unwilling to part with him at all. Then came a sudden change of stance: the loan was back on the table. The back-and-forth became so dramatic that Jackson himself admitted it was “a tough time,” though he never lost faith in the outcome.
Jackson even spent two days in Munich, reportedly against Chelsea’s will, before officially signing for Bayern. Almost immediately afterward, he boarded a plane to Dakar to join Senegal’s camp. Looking back, he said, “I was very confident that I could stay here. In the end, we made it happen, and I’m very happy.”
For Bayern’s sporting director Max Eberl, the key was Jackson’s determination to join the club despite strong offers from elsewhere. “There were huge offers again, that he might have been able to move permanently,” Eberl revealed, hinting that other clubs were willing to make Chelsea and Jackson very lucrative proposals. “But the decisive factor was that we were signing a player who absolutely wanted to come to us. That gave us tremendous confidence.”
Eberl also pointed out that the striker’s desire to wear Bayern’s colors reflected a deeper commitment than just a professional choice it was an emotional decision that aligned with the club’s values. Chelsea’s investment in new strikers Liam Delap and João Pedro for around €100 million cleared the way for Jackson to leave, but the Senegalese forward insists it was Bayern’s persistence and belief in him that made the difference. “They really wanted me here,” Jackson said. “That’s why I decided to take this step, even though I still had a contract at Chelsea until 2033.”
The next chapter of his adventure comes quickly: Bayern will meet Chelsea in the Champions League opener on Wednesday. For Jackson, that means a direct reunion with his former club in what promises to be one of the most talked-about ties of the group stage. The striker, however, has already turned the page. “Chelsea is the past now it’s about Bayern,” he emphasized.
Head coach Vincent Kompany has been cautious about expectations, noting that “Jacko” still needs time to reach peak condition. “He didn’t have a proper pre-season,” Kompany explained, adding that the Senegalese forward must build fitness step by step. Nevertheless, Jackson could already be used as an impact substitute against Hamburger SV. His presence on the bench alone underlines how quickly Bayern plan to integrate him.
When asked about his role, Jackson described himself primarily as a “number nine,” but he also stressed his adaptability. He is comfortable in a two-striker system and willing to play wherever Kompany sees fit. “I want to win titles, score many goals, and help the team wherever I can,” he said, showing both ambition and humility.
For Bayern supporters, the arrival of Jackson represents more than just another signing. It signals a new attacking option, a player whose pace, directness, and hunger could make a real difference in both domestic and European competitions. His debut is eagerly awaited, and the chance to face his former club so soon only adds spice to his story.
If Jackson can settle quickly, Bayern may have secured not just a short-term boost, but a forward capable of shaping their future for years to come.
