Senegalese striker Nicolas Jackson’s €65 million buyout option will no longer automatically convert into a mandatory buyout clause. According to the agreement, the forward needs to start or play at least 45 minutes per game in the Bundesliga and Champions League, accumulating 40 such appearances.
The 24-year-old joined the Bundesliga giants on loan from Chelsea this summer. The Blues previously tried to back out of the deal, but Jackson forced the transfer through with a firm stance. The transaction includes a £14.2 million loan fee and a £56.2 million mandatory buyout clause that would be triggered if the appearance requirement is met. Despite Chelsea’s attempt to cancel the deal after Luke Draper’s injury, the player refused to return to London, and his agents, along with Bayern, worked vigorously to persuade the Blues to let him go. However, it now seems certain that Jackson will return to Chelsea at the end of the season—the number of appearances required to activate the buyout clause is almost impossible to achieve.
Bayern president Uli Hoeneß revealed earlier this season that the condition for triggering the buyout is Jackson starting 40 games. To date, he has only started 5 times.
Bayern has a maximum of 23 league games and 12 Champions League games remaining. Even if Jackson starts all of them, he could theoretically reach 40 appearances, but the Africa Cup of Nations schedule has become the biggest obstacle. Although Senegal has not yet announced its squad, Jackson is highly likely to be a key player under head coach Pape Thiaw.
Thiaw’s team will kick off their Africa Cup campaign on December 23, while Bayern’s last game before the German winter break is on December 21. According to regulations, participating players must leave the club early, meaning Jackson will miss at least one Bayern game. Additionally, Bayern will resume their league campaign on January 11, while Senegal’s last group game is on December 30—if the team reaches the final, Jackson’s participation will extend until January 18.
Achieving the perfect condition also requires Bayern to play two additional Champions League play-off games (if they finish 9th-24th in the group stage). Despite Vincent Kompany’s side losing to Arsenal in midweek, they have won their other four games and currently sit third in the group, with three crucial group stage matches remaining.
