The likelihood of Bayern Munich activating the purchase clause in Nicolas Jackson’s loan agreement is quickly diminishing.

At 24, Jackson joined the Bundesliga giants on loan from Chelsea this summer. His move came after he insisted on leaving, even as Chelsea attempted to reverse their decision on his departure.

The deal involved a £14.2 million loan fee, with a significant obligation to buy for £56.2 million if certain conditions were met, specifically an appearance requirement. Chelsea considered retracting the transfer following an injury to Liam Delap, but Jackson stood firm, with his agent and Bayern negotiating persistently to maintain the agreement.

According to Bayern president Uli Hoeness, Jackson needs to start 40 matches to trigger the purchase clause. Currently, he has only started in five games.

With Bayern facing a maximum of 23 league matches and 12 potential Champions League fixtures, Jackson would need to be in the starting lineup for every game to meet the target. Complicating matters is the upcoming Africa Cup of Nations.

Nicolas Jackson is on the verge of already failing to fulfil obligations that would make his Bayern Munich move permanent

The forward has scored four goals for Vincent Kompany’s side, but made just five starts

While Senegal has yet to announce their squad for the tournament, Jackson is expected to be a key player for coach Pape Thiaw, which could limit his availability for Bayern during that period.

Thiaw’s side will play their first match of the competition on December 23 against Botswana, with Bayern’s last game before the German winter break on December 21. The players involved in the competition, however, will have to be released before that date, meaning Jackson will miss at least one more Bayern game.

In addition to that, his club side will return to action on January 11. Senegal’s last group game is on December 30, but, should they go as far as the final of the competition, they could play as late as January 18.

The perfect run would also require Bayern Munich to play two extra matches in the Champions League in terms of finishing between ninth and 24th in the table and playing a play-off round.

Though Vincent Kompany’s men lost against Arsenal in midweek, they have won all four of their other matches and are currently third in the standings, with three favourable matches remaining in the league phase. 

As Daily Mail Sport revealed earlier this season, however, Jackson and his adviser, the former Portsmouth, West Brom and Fulham striker Diomansy Kamara, are taking little notice of those terms. They believe if Jackson shows he can score, Bayern will find a way to sign him permanently next summer.

Kamara was asked whether he could see Jackson returning to Chelsea, on an episode of Talents D’Afrique shown on Canal+ Sport, to which he replied: ‘Absolutely not. Absolutely not.

‘Today at Chelsea, the relationship with (Enzo) Maresca isn’t necessarily the best. We’re never going to bite the hand that feeds us because Chelsea allowed him to find the European level.

A return to Chelsea looms, despite his relationship with Enzo Maresca breaking down

‘He was there for two years and scored 30 goals, so he always had a good relationship. After, it’s true that the red cards complicated it at Chelsea. Today, we’re looking towards Bayern having a good season. We will see what is best for him. But it’s true that Bayern is a priority for him for a long time.’

On Hoeness’ comments regarding 40 starts, Kamara continued: ‘It’s a war of egos between the two clubs. He even rowed back on his comments. It’s true that there is a saga around the transfer.

‘It was a loan without an obligation to buy. We did a little pushing and said he did not want to return to Chelsea. The clubs reached an agreement. There was talk around how many matches Nico would have to play for an obligatory option.

‘Nico’s objective isn’t to play 40 matches. If he scores 15 goals by December, they’re not going to say play 40 matches.

Jackson has four goals so far this season.