Chelsea And Rennes Locked In Jeremy Jacquet Transfer Saga

The January transfer window is in full swing, and Chelsea have thrust themselves into the spotlight with a determined pursuit of Rennes’ highly-rated young centre-back, Jeremy Jacquet. The 20-year-old Frenchman, already a mainstay in Ligue 1 and a regular for France’s U21 team, has become the subject of intense negotiations as the Blues seek to reinforce their backline amid a turbulent run of form and mounting defensive concerns.

Talks between Chelsea and Rennes have been ongoing since mid-January, with the London club’s sporting director Andrea Berta having initiated exploratory discussions as early as December 2025. According to reports from The Mail on Sunday and Dimanche Ouest France, Chelsea have now moved quickly to formalize their interest, opening negotiations for a transfer that could exceed £50 million, with Rennes holding out for a fee north of €60 million. The French club, emboldened by Jacquet’s recent contract extension until 2029, are reportedly seeking to eclipse the record €64 million received for Jeremy Doku’s move to Manchester City.

Jacquet’s appeal is clear. Since breaking into Rennes’ first team in the second half of the 2024-25 campaign, following an impressive loan spell at Clermont Foot, he has started every Ligue 1 match he’s been available for this season—right up until a red card against Paris Saint-Germain in December. His performances have been marked by aerial dominance, aggressive anticipation, and a knack for progressing the ball under pressure, making him one of Ligue 1’s most promising young defenders. As Football Today notes, "Jacquet fits neatly into Chelsea’s recruitment strategy of investing in young, high-potential talents who can develop within a clearly defined project."

Chelsea’s pursuit is not without competition. Arsenal, Liverpool, and Bayern Munich have all shown varying degrees of interest, with Arsenal’s long-standing admiration for Jacquet dating back to his days at Clermont. The Athletic reported in August that the Gunners had considered him before ultimately signing Cristhian Mosquera from Valencia. Yet, it’s Chelsea who have taken the initiative, bringing talks forward to January out of concern that their rivals might be in stronger positions to buy come summer.

For Jacquet himself, the prospect of a move to Stamford Bridge appears highly attractive. Dimanche Ouest France revealed that the defender is "eager to join the Blues," with some sources even suggesting that terms of a long-term contract have already been discussed. The player’s openness has reportedly prompted Rennes to at least listen to Chelsea’s advances, despite their initial reluctance to sell mid-season.

Rennes’ stance, however, remains firm. Club chairman Arnaud Pouille told local media that only an "irrefusable offer" would tempt them into parting with their defensive lynchpin this winter. The timing is delicate: Rennes are pushing for Champions League qualification and view Jacquet as integral to their ambitions. As journalist Florian Plettenberg reported, "it is possible that Rennes will only sell him in the summer, as Jacquet is considered too important for their push to qualify for the Champions League."

Still, the pressure on Chelsea to secure defensive reinforcements is mounting. The club sits eighth in the Premier League as of January 18, 2026, four points adrift of Liverpool in fourth, and is currently enduring a five-game league winless streak. New manager Liam Rosenior, who is said to have a high opinion of Jacquet, is eager for fresh options at the back, especially with injuries and inconsistency plaguing the squad. The urgency is palpable, with the Blues preparing for a crucial London derby against Brentford on January 24, hoping to reverse their recent fortunes.

Despite the focus on Jacquet, Chelsea’s transfer team is not putting all their eggs in one basket. Alternatives such as Bournemouth’s Marco Senesi and Jacobo Ramon of Como have been mentioned as potential targets should negotiations with Rennes stall. But Jacquet remains the priority, with the club’s hierarchy keen to deliver a statement signing before the window closes. As one Chelsea-focused outlet put it, the club’s transparency about their need for a centre-back "has worked both for and against them," making it clear to supporters that they are acting decisively, but also signaling to selling clubs that they can drive a hard bargain.

For Rennes, the potential departure of Jacquet would be a significant blow, but the club is already making moves to soften the impact. Reports indicate that Rennes have accelerated talks to sign Polish international Sebastian Szymanski from Fenerbahçe for around €10 million, with the creative midfielder seen as a key target for coach Habib Beye. Szymanski’s imminent arrival could provide a boost in attack, but replacing Jacquet’s defensive presence would be a much taller order.

Jacquet’s rise has been meteoric. Despite having just 28 appearances for Rennes’ first team, he has been capped five times for France’s U21s and boasts around 50 senior appearances across all competitions. His blend of physicality, composure, and technical ability has made him a coveted asset, not just for Chelsea but for several of Europe’s elite clubs. Yet, some commentators have questioned Chelsea’s transfer strategy, wondering aloud, "why the hell do we keep ignoring the need to add proven experience?" It’s a gamble, certainly, but one that fits the club’s recent pattern of betting on youth and potential.

As the clock ticks down on the January window, the saga looks set to continue. Concrete negotiations between Chelsea and Rennes were confirmed as recently as January 17, with both sides holding firm on their positions. Chelsea’s opening bid, expected to be around €50 million, is likely just the start of what could be a protracted back-and-forth. Whether Rennes will ultimately relent and accept a winter sale—or whether Chelsea will have to wait until the summer—remains to be seen.

For now, all eyes are on Stamford Bridge and Roazhon Park as the two clubs haggle over one of Europe’s brightest young defensive talents. The next few weeks promise plenty of intrigue, with Chelsea’s defensive ambitions and Rennes’ Champions League hopes hanging in the balance. If an "irrefusable offer" does land on Rennes’ desk, the January window could yet deliver one of its biggest stories. Until then, the Jacquet saga rolls on, with fans and pundits alike watching every twist and turn.