Chelsea have identified Stade Rennais’ Jérémy Jacquet as a target to strengthen their defence in the winter market.
Two days ago, RMC Sport reported the Blues are leading the race to sign the centre-back. Chelsea are prepared to offer €50m while the Ligue 1 side want over €60m.
On Sunday, Dimanche Ouest-France reported Liverpool, Arsenal, Bayern Munich and other clubs are keen. However, Chelsea, who have Liam Rosenior’s backing, have decided to push hard to sign him in January.
A fresh report from the same newspaper provides the latest on the west London club’s ongoing pursuit.
Rosenior’s side have already made a move to sign the 20-year-old. He seems to be open to a move to Stamford Bridge this month. According to Ouest-France, the France U21 international hasn’t reached a contractual agreement with Chelsea yet.
Chelsea pushing ahead for defender
The Club World Cup winners are still pushing ahead to try and sign the defender. They are in contact with Stade Rennais but are yet to agree terms over the transfer fee.
The Ligue 1 side are reluctant to part ways with the Frenchman in January and would only change their stance if there’s a ‘huge offer’. This would be around €60m or more. Their owners will make a final decision if they receive a tempting bid.
Jacquet’s contract lasts until 2029. Amid claims of Chelsea’s interest, Stade Rennais manager Habib Beye has urged him to continue at the club. Ouest-France have relayed the coach’s comments.
“When you get offers from clubs like that, it can make things a little unsettled, but I’m very stable on this situation, and we’re quite calm as a club about all of this,” he said.
“I believe Jérémy is very important for our objectives, and if he were to leave, we would have to lower those objectives, because he’s a key player for us, one of the best on our team. We have to resist this kind of approach. There are several factors I don’t control in this situation. We’ll see what happens in the coming days.
“We don’t have the means to replace Jacquet in the same way, short of reinvesting all the money he would bring in. The best way to avoid this problem is to keep him!”
Manager urges player to stay
The French club’s manager explains why he isn’t in favour of selling the player in January.
“I can say that I don’t agree with him leaving, but I can talk to him and tell him what I think of him at Stade Rennais, of his development. We, as staff, are contributing to his progress and making him a target for the best clubs, and in five months he’ll be a more complete player,” Beye explained.
“It would be a win-win for everyone. We need Jérémy to achieve very high goals; we don’t want to lose quality but strengthen the squad. But Jérémy is very stable, not at all unsettled. For me, it’s a non-issue right now; he hasn’t told me he wants to leave.”
Chelsea now play the waiting game.