Arsenal
A new report from Football Insider shows that Rennes centre-back Jeremy Jacquet has caught the eye of Europe’s biggest clubs. Arsenal, Chelsea, Liverpool, and Real Madrid are all keeping close tabs on the 20-year-old French defender.
These top-tier teams want to strengthen their backlines. They see Jacquet as a smart long-term signing. Thanks to his standout performances in Ligue 1, experts now consider him one of the best young defensive talents in France.
Rennes Defender Jeremy Jacquet Attracts Major Premier League Interest from Arsenal, Chelsea, and Liverpool
Rennes are in a great spot for negotiations. Since Jacquet is under contract until 2029, the French club can hold out for a massive fee. Football Insider suggests that any deal would take a huge financial effort. Transfer expert Pete O’Rourke clarifies that Rennes aren’t looking to sell in the middle of the season.
As a result, a move in January looks unlikely. Liverpool and other top sides are still tracking him. However, the summer window is when things will really heat up. That’s when we expect a real bidding war between Manchester United, Arsenal, and the rest.
“He’s under contract until 2029, so it would take a huge offer in this transfer window to even make Rennes consider selling him. So I think it’s one of those where Liverpool are monitoring Jacquet and keeping tabs on him along with all these other top European clubs, but I don’t think anything will happen in January.
“Maybe come the summer, there could be more potential for a move, whether that’s from Liverpool or some of his other suitors, like Chelsea, Arsenal, Real Madrid or Man United.”
Finding the Right Fit for the Player
Liverpool look like the most logical landing spot for Jacquet. The Reds really need to inject some youth into their central defence. With stars like Virgil van Dijk getting older, the club need a young successor who can learn the ropes. Jacquet is a perfect match. Standing 1.90m tall and calm on the ball, he fits the physical and tactical style Anfield demands. The Frenchman would likely get his feet wet in cup games before moving into a starting role.
Arsenal offer a stable environment, but the 20-year-old might not play much right away. Their current centre-back duo is performing at a high level. So, Jacquet would have to fight for minutes. That said, Mikel Arteta is great at developing young defenders, which might tempt the Frenchman.
READ MORE: Everton target Arsenal star for a big January move: Should the Gunners say Yes?
Chelsea are a riskier move. They love signing young players, but their massive squad size usually means new arrivals end up on loan instead of on the pitch. Then there’s Real Madrid; the ultimate dream for many.
However, the pressure at the Bernabéu is intense, and it can break young players who aren’t world-class from day one. In the end, Liverpool are where the need meets the opportunity. They can offer a clear path to the first team that the others just can’t promise right now.