Chelsea are working on a deal for Jeremy Jacquet.placeholder image
Chelsea are working on a deal for Jeremy Jacquet. | Getty Images
Rennes and Chelsea remain locked in negotiations as the club pushes for a club record transfer fee from the Premier League side.
The 20-year-old is believed to be keen on a switch to the Premier League but Chelsea are still to shake hands on a transfer fee with Rennes to finalise the move. Jacquet has been admired by the Blues for some time and a push to recruit a centre-back could be fast-tracked following an injury to Tosin Adarabioyo.
The centre-back came off early against Brentford with a hamstring injury on Saturday but the full severity of that problem is not yet known. Chelsea had been linked with Jacquet prior to that and the latest update from transfer guru Fabrizio Romano suggests the club is working hard to make that move happen.
Fabrizio Romano provides Chelsea transfer update
Writing on social media platform X on Sunday afternoon, Romano said: “Chelsea have agreed personal terms with Jeremy Jacquet, the clear main target at centre back. Contract ready, player keen and talks ongoing with Rennes asking for club record sale fee around €65m. #CFC bid currently lower. A mission to France already took place.”
Jacquet is a France under-21 international and signed a new contract with Rennes last year. The defender committed his future to the French side until 2029, which gives Rennes negotiating power when discussing a fee with Chelsea.
The Blues are keen to sign a ball-playing centre-back having missed out on AFC Bournemouth man Dean Huijsen last summer and Jacquet fits that profile.
Rennes look to break club record transfer sale
Rennes want to break their club record sale, which came in 2023 when selling Jeremy Doku to Manchester City for €64 million. Jacquet has made 16 appearances for Rennes in Ligue 1 this season and is a linchpin in the side’s starting XI.
Chelsea head coach Liam Rosenior was asked about the club’s transfer plans last week and said: “I think if we do, it needs to be the right player. We need to be patient. I want to assess this group. It's really, really important to me.
“We still have time. We have conversations every day, myself and the board, about potential transfers, both out and in. But at the same time, I need to focus on the players in the building. If I feel it's the right time or the right player, then we'll make that decision.”
In other news, Fabrizio Romano says Chelsea board will give Liam Rosenior the transfer Enzo Maresca begged for.
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