Chelsea are reportedly closing in on a personal agreement with highly rated French defender Jeremy Jacquet, as the club looks to strengthen its centre-back options before the transfer window closes.
While progress has been made on the player’s side, the main obstacle remains Rennes, who are determined to extract maximum value for one of the latest products from their famous academy.
Centre-back remains a key issue for Chelsea
Even before officially settling into life at Stamford Bridge, Liam Rosenior will have quickly identified centre-back as a problem area in his squad.
Wesley Fofana is back fit and Tosin Adarabioyo has shown improvement in recent weeks, but concerns remain. Trevoh Chalobah continues to be error-prone, most notably against Fulham for Raul Jimenez’s opener, while goalkeeper Robert Sánchez bailed him out again after allowing Kevin Schade through at the weekend.
Meanwhile, Benoît Badiashile struggled to impress in Rosenior’s early matches, and with Axel Disasi also under scrutiny, Chelsea’s need for defensive reinforcement is becoming increasingly clear.
Rennes demanding full price for Jacquet
Rennes are no strangers to producing elite talent, having previously developed players such as Eduardo Camavinga, Ousmane Dembélé, Jérémy Doku, and Georginio Rutter. They now see Jacquet as the next major asset from their production line.
Despite the defender making just 29 senior appearances, his performances have been enough to attract serious interest from Europe’s elite. Rennes are reportedly holding out for a fee in the region of £60 million, a figure that reflects both Jacquet’s potential and the club’s negotiating stance.
Chelsea could include players to lower the fee
Given Chelsea’s heavy spending in recent windows, there are doubts over whether the club would sanction such a large cash-only deal.
According to French outlet Jeunes Footeux, Chelsea could look to include players as part of a package to bring the price down. The report suggests Josh Acheampong or Andrey Santos could be offered to Rennes, although Santos is said to be less likely following Rosenior’s arrival.
Premier League competition remains
Chelsea are not alone in their admiration for Jacquet. Reports indicate that Liverpool have been monitoring the defender closely and have included him on a centre-back shortlist, alongside Marc Guéhi, who is expected to join Manchester City.
While Chelsea are believed to be best placed to move quickly, Liverpool’s interest highlights how highly Jacquet is rated across the Premier League.
Jacquet or Anselmino: which route should Chelsea take?
With Chelsea also having the option of recalling Aaron Anselmino, the club faces a key decision. Jacquet offers immediate reinforcement with top-level potential, while Anselmino represents a more cost-effective, internal solution who could be eased into the squad over time.
At £60 million, Jacquet would represent a major gamble for a player still early in his senior career. However, if he develops into one of Europe’s elite centre-backs, the investment could prove justified.
