Talks are ongoing between Chelsea and Rennes over a deal for wonderkid defender Jeremy Jacquet, but the Ligue 1 side are holding out for a big transfer fee.
Jacquet has starred for Rennes this term, playing every single possible minute, without being suspended. On Sunday, Jacquet missed only a second Ligue 1 game, having received his fifth yellow card beforehand.
While Chelsea have an agreement with Jacquet, the Blues are unwilling to meet his £60m price tag. It could lead to an impasse, even if French media say Josh Acheampong or Andrey Santos may be included.
Chelsea have accelerated their pursuit of a new centre-back to now, having initially planned to sign a new defender in the summer. Jacquet is one of three centre-backs targeted by Chelsea this month.
How much would you be willing to pay for Jeremy Jacquet?💰
Rennes name Jeremy Jacquet price tag
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Chelsea have picked their replacement for Jeremy Jacquet
There is a very real chance that Chelsea could fail to tempt Rennes into the sale of Jacquet. Rennes manager Habib Beye responded to Jacquet’s possible exit, hopeful that his side can retain the player.
If Rennes don’t give in, then ESPN say Chelsea have now identified a replacement for Jacquet and that is Bournemouth’s defender Marcos Senesi. Indeed, Senesi is another name on Chelsea’s three-man list.
Gabriel Jesus of Arsenal and Marcos Senesi of Bournemouth during the Premier League match between Bournemouth and Arsenal
Photo by Robin Jones – AFC Bournemouth/AFC Bournemouth via Getty Images
The other is Como’s defender Jacobo Ramon, once branded “devastating” by Cesc Fabregas. But, ESPN say Senesi is preferred to Ramon and Chelsea will make a move if they fail in their bid to land Jacquet.
Chelsea aren’t the only side eyeing Bournemouth’s Marcos Senesi
Defenders seem to be particularly popular for Premier League clubs going into the latter stages of the January window. Senesi is a target for Chelsea, given the Argentine star’s contract is due to expire in June.
But Chelsea aren’t the only side considering Senesi. Foreign sides can approach Senesi now on a pre-contract agreement, but for other Premier League teams, they could get Senesi in a cut-price deal.
IMAGINE: You have the final say on Chelsea’s three-man centre-back shortlist. Who will you pick?
The three centre-back targets under consideration at Chelsea:
Jeremy Jacquet
Jacobo Ramon
Marcos Senesi
Đorđe Petrović and Marcos Senesi of Bournemouth
Photo by Robin Jones – AFC Bournemouth/AFC Bournemouth via Getty Images
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Crystal Palace are set to sell Marc Guehi to Man City, who, like Senesi, is out of contract, and the Eagles are keen to replace Guehi with Senesi, according to the Mail. Senesi may prefer a move to Selhurst Park.
That way he knows he would start matches instead of being a rotational option for Chelsea. But given his form this season and under Andoni Iraola, Senesi is easily good enough to win a starting spot at Chelsea.
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