Bayern Munich break silence on Chelsea's shock decision to cancel Nicolas Jackson's loan as striker looks to force through move

Jackson was set to join Bayern Munich on loan for £13 million ($17.5m) with an option to buy for £56.2 million ($76m) next summer. He travelled to Munich and awaited final confirmation, but Chelsea halted the transfer after Delap picked up a hamstring injury. The Blues ordered Jackson to return to London, but he remains in Germany with his representatives working to salvage the move. Bayern's director of sport Max Eberl has now opened up on the saga.

Speaking to BILD, Eberl said: "First of all, I'm not in a position to act. We would have liked to act, we would have liked to have done the medical and signed the contract. That's not possible now, and we'll tell the player and his agent that they have to go back because Chelsea... We simply don't have a signed contract."

"What are the alternatives? We have 48 hours left. This isn't a situation we could really plan for, but we'll try to find a solution. We're still considering things, and as long as we can act, we'll consider whether to act and how to act. If we decide that we'll do nothing, then that's a decision, but first we still have the opportunity to decide, and we'll try to do that as best we can."

Chelsea’s striker crisis left Joao Pedro as their only fit centre-forward, forcing them to rethink the Jackson deal. Bayern, meanwhile, were left frustrated after having reached an agreement and preparing medical checks. The Bundesliga champions are still open to fresh talks, though they admit time is running out before the transfer window closes. The Athletic reported on Sunday morning that Chelsea could sanction a sale of Jackson if they bring in a new striker before the deadline on Monday.

Sky Germany's Florian Plettenberg claims Jackson and his agent are still in Munich as Bayern push to keep the deal alive. The situation remains on hold but not officially over, with the next 48 hours set to decide Jackson’s future.