Chelsea open talks over Jeremy Jacquet deal as Blues target first signing of Liam Rosenior era | OneFootball

Chelsea target January move for France Under-21s centre-back

Chelsea are in talks to sign Jeremy Jacquet from Rennes.

Jacquet is understood to want a move to Chelsea to go ahead if a deal can be agreed.

Jeremy Jacquet has impressed with his performances for Rennes

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The 20-year-old last year signed a new contract through to 2029 and has been linked with Arsenal.

But Chelsea are keen on signing him this month. The Blues want to sign a centre-back, a midfielder and an attacker and are monitoring January market opportunities. They hope to strengthen those three positions either this month or in the summer.

Chelsea were keen on signing Dean Huijsen from Bournemouth last summer but ended up parking their pursuit of a centre-back when he chose instead to join Real Madrid.

Sources say Chelsea want their next centre-back signing to be a ball-playing defender, with Jacquet fitting that profile.

Bournemouth’s Marcos Senesi and Como’s Jacobo Ramon have both been looked at but talks over Jacquet are seen as being more serious at this stage. The January transfer deadline is on February 2.

Levi Colwill has missed the season so far with an ACL injury but is still seen internally as a key part of Chelsea’s future once he returns.

Liam Rosenior was asked after the 2-0 win over Brentford on Saturday whether a potential hamstring injury to Tosin Adarabioyo could bring forward the signing of a new centre-back, but the new head coach insisted transfer priorities have been set irrespective of injuries.