Bayern Munich honorary president Uli Hoeneß, on Sunday, has sent shockwaves through the football world with his candid revelation about Nicolas Jackson's loan deal, effectively dismissing any realistic chance of the Senegalese striker securing a permanent move to the Allianz Arena.
Speaking on German television, Hoeneß revealed the intricate details of Jackson's contract. He revealed that the Senegalese striker, who joined on loan on from Chelsea on transfer deadline day, has an €80 million purchase clause that will only become mandatory when he makes 40 starts for Bayern Munich in the 2024/25 season.
The 72-year-old Bayern legend didn't waste time in announcing, rather bluntly, that the striker would never achieve the 40 starts required to trigger the mandatory purchase clause. This bombshell admission has raised serious questions about the strategic thinking behind both clubs' decision-making and Jackson's own career trajectory.
🗣️ Bayern Munich honorary president Uli Hoeness on the Nicolas Jackson transfer:
— Transfer News Live (@DeadlineDayLive) September 7, 2025
"It's not a €16.5M loan fee, because the player and his agent are contributing €3M, so that leaves €13.5M.
"And there will definitely not be a permanent contract. That only happens if he plays… pic.twitter.com/nTI26lTZXo
In typical fashion, many X users have reacted differently to this news. While some are criticizing Hoeneß for his harsh statement about a player who has yet to kick a football for them (and even had to pay €3 million from his own pocket to finance this loan deal), other fans have been ridiculing Nicolas Jackson for what they see as a "foolish" decision to flee Chelsea at the first sign of proper competition for his place.
Imagine contributing your money to play for a club and this is what they're saying about you.
— 𝐒𝐈𝐑 𝐉𝐄𝐑𝐑𝐘 (@SirJerry_cfc) September 7, 2025
Jackson and his agent should bury their heads in shame https://t.co/ouzQGDCxaW
Uli Hoeneß didn't lie. 40 games is impossible. I wonder where Jackson and his agent got their confidence from.
— Vince™ (@Blue_Footy) September 7, 2025
They have been talking like they aren't coming back to Chelsea. Obviously, bomb squad is waiting for him.
Uli when Jackson hits his 38th startpic.twitter.com/iXhmBsvvYs
— AUGUSTUS (@Der_Augustus) September 7, 2025
Jackson with just 30 goals and 54 chances missed in the premier league in two seasons thinks Bayern will drop Kane that has 91 goals in 2 season already for him 🤦🏿♂️🤦🏿♂️
— MOSS 🗿 (@blavkmoss) September 7, 2025
He just made the people that supported him look so stvpid especially that Oku guy 😂😂
His agent, Diomansy Kamara has also reacted to this interview on instagram.
Nico Jackson representative again; pic.twitter.com/PwLV98BWz3
— 💥 BlueCo Xtra® (@Bluecoxtra) September 7, 2025
The Numbers Game That Doesn't Add Up
As revealed by Uli Hoeneß, Bayern Munich will only be obligated to make Jackson's loan move from Chelsea Football Club permanent if he starts 40 games during the 2024-25 season. Let's be realistic here; this is a target that will be incredibly challenging, if not impossible to reach for many reasons.
For starters, there is a very high chance that N. Jackson WILL NOT start every Bayern Munich game because, for one, he is new to the league and also (and perhaps most importantly), he will be competing with Harry Kane for that number 9 spot. The England striker is one of, if not the best striker in world football currently. Last season, he scored 41 goals in just 51 appearances for Bayern Munich compared to Nicolas Jackson's 10 goals in 30 games.
🏴🔝 Harry Kane's stats for Bayern Munich are incredible. 🤯 pic.twitter.com/PHe671K2PF
— EuroFoot (@eurofootcom) September 4, 2025
Another thing that will work against Jackson reaching that threshold is the number of Bundesliga games. The Bundesliga currently comprises just 34 league matches, meaning Jackson would need to start every single league game to even approach the required threshold. With Bayern also competing in the Champions League and DFB-Pokal, additional opportunities definitely exist, but the chance of him making those 40 starts is pretty slim, if not downright impossible.
Complicating matters further is Jackson's international commitments. The Africa Cup of Nations, scheduled for January 2026, will see him miss crucial games representing Senegal. Even a brief tournament run could cost him 3-4 potential starts, making the 40-game target mathematically impossible!
Burning Bridges at Stamford Bridge
Jackson's departure from Chelsea represents a particularly contentious chapter in this saga. After giving him two full seasons to establish himself as their primary striker, many Chelsea fans believed that the Senegalese striker chickened out at the first sight of proper competition following the signings of João Pedro (Brighton) and Liam Delap (Ipswich).
Nicolas Jackson has always been rated highly by Enzo Maresca and Chelsea's hierarchy. This was evident during his transfer saga when, instead of expelling him to the "bomb" squad, the club allowed him to train with the first team. Now to see him ignore the call to return to Chelsea after Delap's injury against Fulham, and also his agent's jab at Chelsea on social media, most fans believe he has disrespected the club.
Jackson's agent Diomansy Kamara reposted a story saying: 'We're not going back'
— Bayern & Germany (@iMiaSanMia) August 30, 2025
And added: The plane doesn't go backwards.. Munich ♥️ pic.twitter.com/Pe1eMkXO83
Many Chelsea fans have even drawn parallels by comparing his situation to that of Renato Veiga last season.
The relatively unknown fullback turned centre-back, whom Chelsea picked up from Basel last season, pushed for a January loan transfer to Juventus, leaving Chelsea without any cover at LB. When Juventus elected not to make Veiga's move permanent, the Portuguese defender discovered he was not fondly received back at Stamford Bridge, subsequently transferring to Villarreal.
Nicolas Jackson's Options
Hoeneß's public dismissal of Jackson's permanent prospects leaves the striker in a precarious position. Should he fail to meet the 40-start threshold (which appears increasingly likely), Jackson faces the prospect of returning to a Chelsea side that has moved on without him.
The Blues' acquisition of João Pedro, Delap and Marc Guiu (who has been recalled from his Sunderland loan) signals their intent to solve their striker conundrum. This means that should Bayern fail to make Jackson's deal permanent, he could be surplus to requirements upon his return.
At this point, Nicolas Jackson's best hope lies in either miraculously starting over 40 games for Bayern this season or quickly establishing himself as indispensable to Vincent Kompany's tactical setup. Who knows, maybe this will force Bayern to ignore the unattainable clause in his loan agreement and instead sign him permanently.
