Rosenior has had a fine startplaceholder image
Rosenior has had a fine start | Getty Images
Chelsea are said to be interested in a second player from the same club this month.
Chelsea may be willing to offer a double deal to land a second Rennes star as they chase defender Jeremy Jacquet. The Blues are hoping to strengthen with a couple of key additions during this window, feeling as though Liam Rosenior’s squad has one or two holes.
The Blues are now up to fifth after their win over Crystal Palace, moving to within a point of fourth placed Manchester United. Rosenior has enjoyed a very solid start, but the real test will come over the coming weeks when he will need to prove that the form is not the product of a new manager bump.
Over the course of the next week, Chelsea will try to add a player or two to this squad, with a centre-back believed to be the priority. The Blues have lots of options at the position, but they lack top-level starters in Levi Colwill’s absence through injury.
Rennes star Jacquet has emerged as the main option, but according to Fabrizio Romano, Rennes are holding strong. Romano posted on X: “Rennes have no intention to let Jeremy Jacquet leave in January, but can open doors to sale ahead of summer window. Chelsea approach rejected but #CFC keen on deal ASAP for the summer. Understand Liverpool and FC Bayern are also interested.”
Chelsea may keep pushing to see if they can convince otherwise amid a reported £56m valuation, but they may also come back with a double offer, with reports suggesting they are also interested in a Rennes striker.
Chelsea could go after second Rennes star
CaughtOffside are reporting that Chelsea like the look of young Rennes frontman Mohamed Kader Meïté. The 18-year-old has broken into the first team this season and scored three goals in 19 appearances across all competitions.
A number of other Premier League clubs are said to have expressed an interest, with Manchester United among those clubs. It’s claimed the Blues have already sent an enquiry as they look to continue their recruitment strategy of signing young, talented players who have plenty of room to grow and develop.
The report also adds, however, that the only concrete bid so far has come from Saudi club Al-Hilal, who have offered £33.7million, but it’s also added that Meite is unconvinced of a move to the Middle-East at this stage of his career.
That could give Chelsea the window they need, but whether they are willing to spend so much on a young striker who is still some way away from being a first-team player for them is another question. The Blues need immediate difference-makers if they want to win the race for Champions League football.
Signing Meite and Jacquet could cost £89.7million, according to the reported asking prices, but as the first report details, Rennes seem to be determined not to lose key players this month, so deals may have to wait until the summer.
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