Enzo Maresca believes Nicolas Jackson needs to leave Chelsea in order to be ‘more happy’ following interest from Aston Villa and Newcastle United.
Jackson has asked to leave Chelsea before the end of the transfer window and the 24-year-old has attracted plenty of interest with Villa, Newcastle, Manchester United and Arsenal all considering moves this summer.
However, Chelsea are demanding at least £60 million for Jackson, who scored 10 goals in the Premier League last season.
The Senegal international was suspended for Chelsea’s Premier League opener against Crystal Palace last season but is now available to play against West Ham on Friday night.
But Maresca says that both Jackson and Christopher Nkunku will not play for Chelsea until their futures are resolved.
‘He [Jackson] is available but he is not going to be part of the squad,’ Maresca said when asked about Jackson’s situation.
‘Because as we already said, we have two strikers, we have two players in that position and also we know that something can happen before the transfer window closes.
‘Christo is with us, like Nico. But it’s the same answer. The other two players [Ben Chilwell and Raheem Sterling] are training apart, waiting for a solution.’
Maresca went on to add: ‘We’ll see if they’re going to be here, they’re going to be with us
‘In case they are not here it means they have found a solution.
‘At the end I think it’s always better if they can find a solution because I think they are going to be more happy and the club the same.’
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