Chelsea agree personal terms with Senegalese striker

New Chelsea manager Mauricio Pochettino will face Liverpool, West Ham United and Luton Town in his first three Premier League games in charge of the club. 

The former Tottenham Hotspur boss faces the daunting visit of the Reds in his first game as the club’s manager, before a visit to London rivals West Ham the following week.

The former Spurs boss was appointed as Chelsea’s new boss last month and will be tasked with rebuilding the club’s inflated squad this summer.

Chelsea have spent more than £500 million over the past year since owner Todd Boehly took charge of the club, leaving Pochettino to inherit a huge playing squad.

The Blues recorded their lowest league finish in three decades this season as they finished 12th in the table, and a number of players could therefore be moved on.

However, Pochettino is keen to add at least one new striker to his squad this summer following Chelsea’s dismal showing last term, and it appears that the club could be close to completing their first signing of the window.

According to The Athletic, Chelsea have agreed personal terms with Villarreal striker Nicolas Jackson.

Jackson looks set to join Chelsea this summer

The report claims that the Blues will negotiate with the La Liga side to try and reduce their asking price, despite the attacker having a release clause of £29.8m.

Jackson, 21, rose through the youth ranks at the Spanish club before having a breakthrough season last term.

The Senegalese international scored 12 goals and provided four assists in 26 games for the club in the league this season.

Jackson gained attention from clubs in January, including Southampton and Bournemouth, but a move didn’t materialise for him at the time.

The young striker would add firepower to Chelsea’s misfiring attack, with the Blues having scored just 38 goals last night.

He is contracted to his current side until 2026 but it appears increasingly likely that he will depart the Spanish club this summer.