Liverpool and Chelsea have been linked with Rennes defender Jeremy Jacquet.
Chelsea are finding it difficult to complete a deal for a defender linked with Liverpool.
The Stamford Bridge side are hoping to bolster their defensive options in the January transfer window and bolster their chances of a Premier League top-four finish. Chelsea have Levi Colwill and Tosin Adarabioyo sidelined, while Wesley Fofana has had his well-documented injury issues.
Jeremy Jacquet is the player that the Blues are trying to tie down. The 20-year-old is one of the most promising defenders in Europe, having been a regular starter for Rennes this campaign. Liverpool and Bayern Munich have reportedly shown an interest in signing Jacquet, although the Reds would look at making a move in the summer transfer window.
However, according to Sky Sports, Liverpool could suffer disappointment as Jacquet has expressed his interest to joining Chelsea rather than Liverpool. But Rennes are reluctant to lose the France under-21s international midway through the 2025-26 campaign as they push for European qualification.
Sky Sports reporter Kaveh Solhekol posted on X: “Jeremy Jacquet has expressed preference for joining Chelsea despite interest from other clubs. Talks are ongoing between Rennes and Chelsea about a deal for the 20-year-old centre back. Ideally, Rennes want to keep him until the summer. Not easy deal in January.”
Liverpool are set to bolster their centre-back options in the summer transfer window. Ibrahima Konate’s contract expires and he appears set to leave on a free transfer. In addition, Virgil van Dijk and Joe Gomez’s respective deals conclude in 2027. The Reds signed Giovanni Leoni from Parma last summer but he suffered a ruptured ACL on his debut and will not play again this season.
Speaking on the battle to sign Jacquet, transfer reporter Fabrizio Romano told DAZN: “It's a crazy battle for the player. Save the battle because Jeremy Jacquet is probably one of the most talented defenders in the world.
“Chelsea remain involved in the race for Jeremy Jacquet. There are conversations ongoing, advancing well on the player's side but still no green light from Rennes. Rennes insists to keep the player now, sell him now for the summer, so this could be the solution.
“Chelsea are in the mix, for sure. But Liverpool are calling, Liverpool are part of the conversation for Jeremy Jacquet. Liverpool are part of this race to sign Jeremy Jacquet and Bayern as well because in the summer, there is Kim Min-Jae who eventually leaves. So Chelsea, Liverpool and Bayern are all involved and let's see what the player will decide to do and what Rennes will decide to do because they want up to €70 million. I think this will be one of the big stories in the next days or even weeks because this deal could be agreed even after the closing of the transfer window.”
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