With only a few days left to go in the January transfer window, it feels more and more unlikely that Chelsea will bring in any new signings having missed out on a couple already.
Indeed, if Chelsea are to do any business in the last few days, it is likely to be outgoings. There are still clubs eyeing Axel Disasi with Fiorentina now linked, while Raheem Sterling’s future needs to be sorted.
There is talk that Sterling could be released. Then, the recalled Aaron Anselmino is also poised for a move after returning to Chelsea, while Kendry Paez and David Datro Fofana could also be recalled soon.
How much would you be willing to pay for Jeremy Jacquet?💰
Rennes name Jeremy Jacquet price tag
Photo by Jean Catuffe/Getty Images
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Plenty of potential exits, and while Chelsea would clearly like to add a defender and a midfielder, hence the interest in Jeremy Jacquet and new Aston Villa signing Douglas Luiz, it feels unlikely they will now.
Chelsea confident of winning £50m summer battle
But it will be a different story in the summer. The last couple of seasons have seen Chelsea go big in the summer and January remains quiet. Last summer, Chelsea spent almost £300m on 10 new signings.
Jérémy Jacquet of France during the UEFA European Under-19 Championship 2024 Group B match
Photo by Ramsey Cardy – Sportsfile/UEFA via Getty Images
During the win over Palace, Fabrizio Romano said Jacquet would not leave Rennes this month and that he will be a summer departure. Now, TeamTalk deliver an update, with two more sides supposedly interested.
Romano said Liverpool and Bayern were keen on a summer move for Jacquet but now, TeamTalk say that Arsenal and Real Madrid are also keeping tabs. Yet, Chelsea remain confident of winning the Jacquet race.
That is because the player himself is keen on a move to Stamford Bridge. It is believed a fee north of £50m will be required to do a deal in the summer window, after Chelsea had a bid rejected this month.
Do Chelsea need Jacquet, or do they need something different
Chelsea’s blueprint is signing young players with massive resale value on long contracts. It is no different at centre-back, with Tosin, Wesley Fofana, Axel Disasi and Benoit Badiashile all signed in the last few years.
Would YOU have Antonio Rudiger back at Chelsea, and why? 🧱
Rudiger's contract ends in June.
Now, or in the summer on a free?
Antonio Rudiger.
Photo by Sebastian Frej/MB Media/Getty Images
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Josh Acheampong and Trevoh Chalobah have come through the academy. All of Chelsea’s defenders are young in terms of a centre-back. Adding a 20-year-old into the mix, in Jacquet, simply doesn’t work.
Jamie Carragher questioned Chelsea signing Jacquet, given he is no different to what they already have. A defender with huge potential, but lacking experience. Maybe, what Chelsea need, is a bit of the latter.
Maybe an Antonio Rudiger, who Ray Parlour thinks Chelsea should sign. An elder head that the younger defenders can learn from. But as things stand, it looks as if Chelsea remain hell-bent on signing Jacquet.
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