Chelsea are still pushing for a deal to sign Rennes wonderkid Jeremy Jacquet before the end of the January window, with Jacquet keen to move to Stamford Bridge this month.
Jacquet, 20, has caught the eye of admiring onlookers in West London ever since he was recalled by Rennes at the start of the year from a loan spell in France’s second division, with Clermont Foot.
Suspended in Rennes’ last game, Jacquet has clocked up 29 senior appearances for Rennes since. That form has caught Chelsea’s eye, and the Blues have accelerated summer plans to bring Jacquet in.
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Rennes name Jeremy Jacquet price tag
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Differing reports have emerged over whether Chelsea have agreed terms with Jacquet, but personal terms are not expected to be an issue. It all hinges on whether Chelsea are willing to spend £60m on Jacquet.
What Jeremy Jacquet has told Rennes board as Chelsea close in
If Jacquet’s stance on a move to Chelsea was not clear enough, Ben Jacobs now reports the France U21 defender has taken it to a new level. He has personally informed the Rennes hierarchy he wants to go.
Rennes manager Habib Beye made it publicly clear he does not want to sell, but if Rennes receive a fee north of the figure they received from Man City for Jeremy Doku, then Jacquet will be on his way.
Jérémy Jacquet of France arrives before the UEFA European U19 Championship finals match between Spain and France
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Jacobs told CFC Gem’s Live show on X: “Jacquet has amicably told Rennes that he would like the Chelsea move this Winter. I’m told personal terms are not a problem, but formally, they’re not in place.
“Personal terms are not a problem, but this isn’t a scenario where the player, I’m told, is going to be disrespectful to Rennes or throw his toys out of the pram,” Jacobs reports on Rennes talent Jacquet.
“So it’s basically just about, can Chelsea either get a number lower than Rennes’ club record, Jeremy Doku, €64m, or alternatively, are they prepared to effectively pay above the odds to get the deal done?”
What Liam Rosenior and Julien Laurens said about Jacquet
It goes without saying that Rosenior was asked about Jacquet, and Rosenior’s reply was an obvious one. A political one. He reminded the reporters that he would never speak about another club’s current player.
Rosenior said, when asked about Jacquet: “I don’t speak about players at other clubs. Until something is agreed then I think it is so disrespectful. Whether it is true or not. I will speak about it at the right time.”
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Julien Laurens went into more depth on Sky Sports News, yesterday. The French football expert said the Rennes talent is the “real deal” but questioned whether a £60m fee is value for money at Chelsea.
“He’s the real deal. I know he’s only 20, very little experience, hasn’t played for France, in the Champions League or even the Europa League. There’s still a long way to go, but he’s been impressive,” he said.
Focus for Rosenior and Chelsea right now will be on tonight’s clash against Pafos. A win will see Rosenior become only the third of Chelsea’s last 10 to win their first Champions League match as Chelsea boss.
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