Real Madrid eye move for Rennes defensive prodigy Jeremy Jacquet | OneFootball

Real Madrid are keeping tabs on Rennes defender Jeremy Jacquet ahead of a potential move next summer (h/t Matteo Moretto via Marca).

The La Liga giants have prioritised defensive reinforcements in the summer transfer window due to the expiring contracts of David Alaba and Antonio Rudiger.

Alaba is expected to leave Los Blancos, who have no plans to offer him a new deal.

On the other hand, Rudiger’s future is hanging in the balance. Los Blancos are contemplating extending his contract, but his form and fitness will be the deciding factors.

Madrid want to invest in a young defender with a higher ceiling who can shape the club’s future, as they did with Dean Huijsen last summer.

Jacquet’s profile aligns with Madrid’s transfer policy. The Spanish giants have scouted him multiple times this season and have received only positive feedback.

The 20-year-old has been making waves with his eye-catching performances for Rennes this season, starting in all 15 Ligue 1 games so far.

The French prodigy is an archetypal modern-day centre-back who stands out for his physicality and athleticism as well as his passing abilities. 

He can dominate both aerial and ground duels, and his extraordinary agility allows him to cover a lot of ground and track back. He anticipates threats with his intelligent reading of the game, while his eye for line-breaking passes is another valuable weapon in his armoury.

Jacquet has been valued in the region of €30-40 million, but the price will go up if he keeps up his upward trajectory and the suitors rack up.

He is already on the wishlist of several top clubs, but Madrid have the pull to persuade him to the Santiago Bernabeu.

Madrid have also identified Bayern Munich’s Dayot Upamecano, Crystal Palace’s Marc Guehi and Borussia Dortmund’s Nico Schlotterbeck as centre-back targets.