In a stunning revelation that has sent shockwaves through the football world, Bayern Munich's sporting director Christoph Freund has broken the club's silence on their dramatic eleventh-hour pursuit of Chelsea striker Nicolas Jackson.
The Bundesliga giants, who had been fiercely criticised for their late-window approach, have now provided their side of the story regarding the collapsed move for the Senegalese international.
The Midnight Move That Shook Stamford Bridge
Freund confirmed that Bayern's interest in Jackson materialised in the final hours of the transfer window, describing it as a 'unique opportunity' that presented itself unexpectedly. The German champions made a bold approach to Chelsea for the 23-year-old forward, who only joined the Blues from Villarreal last summer.
'The situation arose very late, and we felt Nicolas could bring something different to our attack,' Freund stated in an exclusive interview. 'Sometimes in football, these opportunities appear suddenly and you have to act quickly.'
Chelsea's Firm Stance and Bayern's Strategic Thinking
Chelsea's response was immediate and unequivocal – Jackson was not for sale at any price. The West London club considered the striker a crucial part of their long-term project under new manager Enzo Maresca.
Freund revealed that Bayern's interest was partly driven by their need for attacking depth behind star striker Harry Kane. 'We're always looking to strengthen our squad intelligently,' he explained. 'Nicolas has shown tremendous potential at Chelsea, and we believe he could have developed wonderfully alongside Harry and our other attackers.'
The Aftermath and Future Prospects
The failed move has sparked discussions about Bayern's transfer strategy and their need for additional firepower up front. Despite the collapse, Freund left the door open for future moves, emphasising that Jackson remains a player they admire.
'We respect Chelsea's decision completely,' Freund added. 'Nicolas is their player, and they have every right to keep him. He's a fantastic talent with a bright future ahead of him.'
The revelation provides fascinating insight into the high-stakes poker game that is the modern transfer market, where even the biggest clubs make late moves for established Premier League talent.
