Despite spending a lot of time chasing Jeremy Jacquet in this transfer window, Chelsea will not be signing the Rennes defender.
Instead, Jacquet will be heading to Liverpool after the Merseyside club struck an agreement with Rennes to purchase the 20-year-old.
The Blues are not lacking centre-back options at the moment but really wanted Jacquet.
We had the whole of January to sign Jeremy Jacquet and come up short 😡
Who is to blame for this?!
Fabrizio Romano update on Jeremy Jacquet
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However, it appears that the French youngster was not as eager for a transfer to Stamford Bridge.
Josh Acheampong of Chelsea runs with the ball
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Josh Acheampong and Chelsea’s other young defenders impacted Jeremy Jacquet’s decision
Josh Acheampong is one central defender who is currently at Liam Rosenior’s disposal, and it looks like his presence at Chelsea deterred Jacquet.
Fabrizio Romano has claimed on X that Chelsea’s insistence on keeping hold of Acheampong impacted Jacquet’s decision.
The transfer expert has revealed that the Blues having Mamadou Sarr and Aaron Anselmino on their books also contributed to Jacquet choosing Liverpool over their Premier League rivals.
If you could sign any player before the transfer window closes, who would it be? ✍️
We want to hear your realistic names below!
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Last week, it was said that Chelsea were Jacquet’s preferred club, but the Frenchman has evidently had a change of heart in a blow to the Conference League holders.
It is not the only setback that they have suffered. Romano recently shared that Fermin Lopez had agreed a new contract with Barcelona, which he has since signed. The attacking midfielder was thought to have been a long-term target for Chelsea.
Fabrizio Romano speaking to fans
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Chelsea’s decision to continue backing Josh Acheampong the right call
While Chelsea may want to bring in a new central defender, it does not look like they are willing to do that at Acheampong’s expense.
Clearly, the Blues believe in the 19-year-old as they continue to bat away interest in him, and they are right to.
Acheampong is a versatile defender with so much potential. It would be mad to sell him.
If his presence is going to stop other centre-backs from wanting to join Chelsea, so be it. There is nothing preventing Acheampong from eventually breaking into the starting XI and doing what the Blues would have expected from Jacquet, for example. Acheampong has just as much talent.
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