Nicolas Jackson failed to make a strong impression at FC Bayern last season. As a result, the Munich club decided against signing the forward to a permanent contract this past summer. The 25-year-old has since found a new home at Aston Villa—where he’s turning heads with his strong performances. On Saturday, the former Bayern striker emerged as the match-winner against Manchester City.

In the 2-1 victory over Pep Guardiola’s team, Jackson scored both goals for Aston Villa. The Senegalese forward was thus the decisive player in the surprising win against the top English club.

His current goal-scoring rate is particularly remarkable. After eleven competitive matches for the Birmingham-based team, he already has seven goals to his credit. After some initial struggles, Jackson appears to have regained his form in the Premier League.

Bayern opted out of a 65-million-euro transfer

Yet the forward’s career could have taken a different turn last summer.

Jackson had previously joined the German record champions on loan from Chelsea FC. The Munich club had secured a buyout option worth 65 million euros but decided against a permanent signing once the loan expired.

Given the high transfer fee, this move was understandable from a financial standpoint. While Jackson brought interesting qualities to the team with his speed and physical presence, he would have been an expensive solution as a permanent backup to Harry Kane.

Instead, the Senegalese international moved to Aston Villa at the end of August. The Premier League club reportedly paid Chelsea around 55 million euros.

Jackson becomes the match-winner against Manchester City

After his transfer, Jackson initially needed some time to settle in at his new club. In the meantime, however, the 25-year-old has developed into a key player on offense.

His two-goal performance against Manchester City impressively underscores this development. With seven goals in eleven games, Jackson is now delivering exactly the kind of offensive punch that was hoped for.

His development is certainly worth watching for Bayern Munich. After all, the Munich club had the opportunity to secure the forward on a long-term basis.

Whether passing on the purchase option was the right decision in hindsight, however, cannot be judged solely on the basis of his current scoring rate. The 65 million euro transfer fee would have represented a significant investment.

Jackson himself is likely not giving this much thought at the moment. The Senegalese player has gotten off to a promising start at Aston Villa and could once again prove himself worthy of the European elite with further strong performances.

This article was translated into English by AI. You can read the original version here https://fcbinside.de/2026/10/25/nach-bayern-abgang-nicolas-jackson-begeistert-ploetzlich-in-england/.