Chelsea are now hoping to finalise a deal for a "dominant" £57m colossus this week, and negotiations are currently ongoing.
Blues hoping to secure new signing amid Carragher criticism
Speaking on Monday Night Football, Jamie Carragher suggested the Blues' current crop of players has little chance of competing for major honours, given that the average age is just too young.
The Sky Sports pundit said: "This idea that you are going to get a whole team of young talents and they'll grow over 3-4, years, football doesn't work like that. Man United didn't win with kids, they had older players around them that got them through. Chelsea won the Champions League in 2021, who was the center back? Thiago Silva, he was 37/38 wasn't he?"
The west Londoners are no closer to challenging the likes of Arsenal and Manchester City for the Premier League title this season, despite moving up to sixth place, following a 2-0 victory against Brentford at the weekend.
However, BlueCo seemingly retain their fixation on signing younger players, with Leicester City starlet Jeremy Monga recently being named as a target, alongside RB Leipzig winger Yan Diomande.
Liam Rosenior's side are also vying to bring in a new centre-back this month, and Fabrizio Romano has revealed personal terms have been agreed with Rennes defender Jeremy Jacquet, although a deal could be expensive, with the French club looking to receive €65m (£57m).
There has now been a new update on Chelsea' pursuit of Jacquet, with a report from The Athletic revealing they are in ongoing talks over a deal for a centre-back, who they are hoping to get through the door this week.
Not only are Rennes holding out for a huge asking price, but manager Habib Beye is reluctant to part ways with the defender, which could complicate things further.
Chelsea need to bring in new centre-back
It is important the Blues sign a new centre-back, as there is uncertainty surrounding the future of Trevoh Chalobah and Tosin Adarabioyo, while Levi Colwill is set to remain on the treatment table for quite some time due to an ACL injury.
Chelsea's Levi Colwill reacts
The Rennes star, who stands at a towering 6 foot 3, could be an exciting addition, given that he is highly-rated by scout Ben Mattinson, who describes the 20-year-old as "dominant in aerial duels and on set-pieces."
Not only that, the starlet also excels at winning back possession, averaging 1.69 interceptions per 90 over the past year, which ranks him in the 95th percentile, in comparison to other centre-backs.
Enzo Fernández of Chelsea during the Premier League match Chelsea vs Brentford at Stamford Bridge Related
[Chelsea now preparing £100m+ offer for "sensational" Champions League star](https://www.footballfancast.com/chelsea-now-preparing-transfer-offer-joao-neves-champions-league/ "Chelsea now preparing £100m+ offer for "sensational" Champions League star")
The Blues are readying a bid for a midfielder, who could replace Enzo Fernandez.
That said, £57m would be a huge fee to pay for a player yet to prove himself at the highest level, and Chelsea should perhaps heed Carragher's warning, by bringing in players with a little more experience to complement their talented youngsters.