Bayern Munich’s bid to secure Nicolas Jackson on loan ended abruptly on Saturday after Chelsea withdrew from the agreement at the last minute.
The Senegal international had already arrived in Germany and was expected to finalise a season-long loan that included an option to buy.
However, Chelsea’s stance shifted after forward Liam Delap sustained an injury during their 2-0 Premier League win over Fulham earlier in the day.
Bayern sporting director Max Eberl confirmed the development following his side’s 3-2 Bundesliga victory over Augsburg.
“Chelsea informed us that they would like the player back after we agreed yesterday. The situation now is that the lad is here in Munich, but we are sending him back,” Eberl told reporters.
Jackson’s camp had earlier pushed back on speculation he was returning to London, with his agent writing on social media: “We’re not going back. The plane doesn’t go backwards: Munich.”
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Bayern had targeted Jackson to reinforce their attacking depth behind Harry Kane, following the summer exits of Kingsley Coman, Leroy Sané, Thomas Müller, and Mathys Tel.
Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca later explained that Delap’s absence, expected to last six to eight weeks, forced the club to rethink.
“When you have two strikers, it’s enough. When one of them is injured for different weeks, probably it’s not enough,” Maresca said.
The setback leaves Bayern with little time to revisit other attacking options before the transfer window closes on Monday, September 1.