Report: Chelsea in talks to sign French defender | OneFootball

Chelsea Push for Jacquet as Deadline Pressure Builds

Chelsea’s late window manoeuvring has taken on a familiar urgency, with GiveMeSport reporting that talks are ongoing with Rennes over highly rated centre back Jeremy Jacquet. The intention is clear. Chelsea want defensive reinforcement now, not later, yet the reality of negotiation rarely bends so easily to desire.

Jacquet, 20, is viewed internally as the leading target to strengthen Liam Rosenior’s back line this winter. Rennes, however, would prefer to retain the player until the end of the season, a stance that has forced Chelsea to consider alternative structures, including a pre agreement or a loan back. It is a compromise driven by strategy rather than hesitation.

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Rosenior System Drives Defensive Demand

Rosenior’s tactical blueprint explains the urgency. The Chelsea head coach recently deployed a back three in the 3-2 Champions League win over Napoli, a system that places heavy demands on ball playing defenders. Jacquet fits that profile and is well known to Rosenior, increasing confidence that he could step in immediately.

Chelsea’s defensive options are stretched. Wesley Fofana, Trevoh Chalobah, Benoît Badiashile and Josh Acheampong are currently available, while Tosin Adarabioyo and Levi Colwill remain sidelined through injury. In that context, the pursuit of Jacquet feels less like opportunism and more like necessity.

Rennes Hold Firm as Market Shifts

Rennes’ negotiating position has been strengthened by the sale of Kader Meite to Al Hilal for €30m, a deal that has eased financial pressure and emboldened their stance. The French club are seeking a record fee for Jacquet, surpassing the €64m received for Jeremy Doku when he moved to Manchester City.

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Chelsea’s valuation sits below that figure, and whether they are prepared to stretch remains uncertain. Interest from Liverpool and Bayern Munich adds competitive tension, reinforcing Chelsea’s desire to move early and avoid a summer scramble.

Outgoings Shape Late Window Calculus

Movement in the opposite direction could yet shape Chelsea’s approach. Axel Disasi has returned to first team training but is expected to leave before the deadline, with West Ham, Roma, Lyon and Crystal Palace all registering interest. Aaron Anselmino has also been recalled from his loan at Dortmund, though his long term place is not guaranteed if Jacquet arrives.

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Chelsea’s openness to flexible deal structures reflects a club thinking beyond the next fortnight. Securing Jacquet, even with delayed gratification, would be a statement of intent rooted in planning rather than panic.

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There is no sense of reckless chasing, just a clear identification of need and a willingness to be patient if it secures the right profile. Jacquet ticks a lot of boxes, young, composed, and suited to the way Rosenior wants to play.

Chelsea fans will recognise the value of moving early, especially with clubs like Liverpool and Bayern Munich circling. Agreeing a pre deal or loan back might not satisfy the craving for instant fixes, but it shows Chelsea are thinking strategically rather than emotionally.

There is also realism around valuations. Paying a record fee for a 20 year old defender carries risk, and supporters will hope the club resist being forced into overpaying simply because the window is closing. Chelsea have learned, sometimes painfully, that urgency should not dictate value.

Equally, the possible exits of Disasi and Anselmino underline a broader reshaping of the squad. Supporters want clarity and coherence, not churn for its own sake.

If Chelsea can land Jacquet on sensible terms, even if that means waiting, most fans would see this as smart business. It feels like a move aligned with a football plan, and after years of chaos, that alone carries real appeal.