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Striker Nicolas Jackson found himself central to one of the summer window's most dramatic saga stories, yet eventually secured his desire by signing for Bayern Munich for a season from Chelsea.

It was not lost on anyone involved in the deal that the 24-year-old would shortly encounter his former team when Bayern host Chelsea in their opening Champions League fixture on Wednesday.

Parties facilitating seal the stop-start agreement had ample opportunity around a hectic deadline day to consider his debut for the European powerhouse in Europe's premier competition.

Jackson was present in Germany all along as a deal was agreed on Saturday morning, until the green light to have a medical was called off because of a severe hamstring injury to Chelsea forward Liam Delap.

However, the transfer was reinstated by Monday's deadline.

Throughout that period, Jackson told his advisors he was looking forward to facing, and potentially scoring against, Chelsea.

Such emotion illustrates some of the sentiments as Jackson departed Stamford Bridge.

He probably to think he has a score to settle to some of the Chelsea fans that never fully embraced him, especially showing disapproval during former manager Mauricio Pochettino's spell.

Certain decision-makers, including manager Enzo Maresca, also grew wary in him after a pair of dismissals against Newcastle United in the Premier League and Flamengo in the Club World Cup at the end of last season.

This breakdown of the relationship between Jackson and Chelsea, coupled with the arrival of strikers Joao Pedro and Delap, facilitated his departure of west London.

During his presentation at Bayern, Jackson said: "It was challenging - a hard spell. Difficult moments in those last days. But I was quite sure I will stay here because this is my desired destination and wish to remain.

"The sporting director, and the coach really wanted me. It was extremely hard but in the end we managed it, so I'm very glad.

"I observed Bayern since childhood. It was a dream to join this massive club. When they contacted me I was excited and prepared to come and play for them."

But, this stop-start transfer saga is only over for now, because the deal - a loan with an obligation to buy - seems not to be watertight.

Is Jackson Set to Join Bayern Permanently?

Jackson signed for Bayern Munich on transfer cutoff day for a sizable loan fee - nearly a global benchmark amount for a temporary deal - with a conditional obligation to buy for £56.2m.

Exclusively the borrowed deals that took Alvaro Morata from Chelsea to Atletico Madrid and then from the Spanish club to Juventus secured bigger fees.

Yet, according to widespread German media reports, the stipulations to make the loan deal full are challenging to achieve.

Uli Hoeness, the former striker who is an key personality on Bayern's board, told Sky Germany during the international break: "He is unlikely to feature 40 games from the start.

"There remain 32 Bundesliga games. If we reach the Champions League final, which we aim for, that adds 13 games. The overall is 45 games.

"German Cup games are excluded. So he would have to start each match. He will go to the Africa Cup of Nations in January, so he won't be able to begin 40 games."

More information has been given that each outing of 45 minutes or more would be considered a "start" for Jackson.

The executive added that Jackson's Epic Sport agency, headed by Ali Barat, paid the extra £1.3m added to the loan fee by Chelsea in the 48 hours before deadline, while hinting at the possibility that the Senegal striker could come back to west London next summer.

During inquiries about the arrangement at his unveiling press conference, Jackson said: "That's beyond my control, my job is just to do my best, make my team win and find the net frequently. My focus is only on aiming for big things."

Nevertheless, Chelsea are pleased with the monetary aspects and such a substantial temporary fee could incentivise Bayern to buy Jackson next summer.

Bayern sources have also suggested that, if Jackson shines and shows a constructive approach over the year-long loan, he will secure a long-term future in Bavaria.

The strategy is for him to both challenge and complement star striker Harry Kane.

Jackson completed his debut as a half-time substitute for the Bundesliga titleholders during their 5-0 win over Hamburg on Saturday, replacing Serge Gnabry and partnering the England captain.

"In my view he looked sharp," said Kane. "During practices, he's looked very strong. It's difficult coming into a team like us when we're so disciplined.

"Athletically is very robust and speedy. And if he plays, he'll be eager to impress. But I aim not to put undue burden on him too soon.

"He understands he's integrating into the team. So far he's had a great attitude and the openness to development is the key factor."

Jackson can play as a number nine or on the left wing, so has alternatives in terms of position. And at Bayern, he escapes the burden of needing to be the top finisher, while his proximity to the England captain can only aid his progress in the future.

"What I hope is that he is prolific for us. I think he'll do so," said Bayern boss Vincent Kompany.

The ball is now in Jackson's court. He can either stand out and stay at one of the world's top sides or follow a similar path to Jadon Sancho, who went back to Manchester United for a £5m penalty fee as Chelsea got out of their previous £20m purchase requirement agreement.

What Led to It Not Work Out at Chelsea?

Both Chelsea and Jackson's entourage maintain the forward's time at Chelsea was a positive.

The club invested in three months of exceptional form at Villarreal and decided to exercise his £32m buyout option in 2023. He had more than doubled in value over a 24-month span.

Jackson had only been a elite athlete for five years - six years before his move to Chelsea, he was playing on sandy amateur pitches in his Senegalese birthplace of Ziguinchor.

All understood Jackson was a unpolished gem, having played just 1,758 minutes of top-flight football, but he rapidly cemented his place as Chelsea's lead attacker.

Naturally, given the pace of his rise, there were times when Jackson struggled.

According to Opta data, Jackson did not meet his projected tally by a score of -7 over the past two seasons, which is the second-poorest total in the Premier League, exceeded only by Leeds United striker Dominic Calvert-Lewin.

Ineffective scoring drew criticism from fans, and he is known to have suffered under that pressure. Jackson would have periods of finding the net but then experience long barren spells.

When asked about his exit, Maresca said: "Jackson is a Bayern Munich player. I sent him a message and expressed my support. He performed diligently when he was here. That's all I can say."

But Jackson also surpassed Chelsea legend Didier Drogba in his first season - netting 14 goals to the Ivory Coast striker's 10. He then notched 21 goals in his first 50 games to tie one of Africa's top forwards at Stamford Bridge.

The Blues are likely to make substantial profit, whether