Real Madrid blow Arsenal out of the water with move for Saliba 2.0

Tom Weber

• Updated: 13 Dec 2025 12:52 GMT
• 4 min read

News

Real Madrid have entered the race to sign Stade Rennais wonderkid Jeremy Jacquet, who had been earmarked by Arsenal as a potential long-term William Saliba replacement.

The Gunners' superstar defender was heavily linked with a move to Real Madrid in the summer, but Mikel Arteta ultimately managed to convince Saliba to stay put and sign a new long-term contract.

Before that, Arsenal prepared for all eventualities and reportedly made a move to sign Rennes defender Jacquet. However, the 20-year-old rejected the transfer to North London to continue his development in Brittany.

Current ETV

Jérémy Jacquet

D (CR)

Stade Rennais

Jérémy Jacquet

D (CR)

Stade Rennais

€16.2M

ETV Range

€14.6M - €17.8M

View full profile

This was clearly the right decision, as Jacquet has played every available minute so far this season. He did pick up a second yellow card against PSG last weekend, though, and will miss today's small Derby de la Bretagne against Stade Brestois.

Like Saliba and Kylian Mbappe, Jacquet hails from the famous Bondy district of Paris, and it seems that he could soon link up with the latter after deciding against joining the former at Arsenal.

Real Madrid monitor Jacquet

According to reliable transfer insider Matteo Moretto, Real Madrid are keeping a close eye on Jacquet's development at Rennes. The journalist doesn't provide much information on the interest, but it is clear that he is a genuine target heading into 2026.

Real Madrid, after signing Dean Huijsen in the summer, are planning to once again dip into the centre-back market next year. David Alaba is all but guaranteed to depart the club, while Antonio Rudiger is also facing an uncertain future, although his exit is not set in stone yet.

Los Blancos have ruled out making a move for Liverpool centre-back Ibrahima Konate, but they remain attentive to Dayot Upamecano's contract talks at Bayern. They are also among the clubs vying for the signature of Crystal Palace captain Marc Guehi.

Bayern, however, are confident of reaching an agreement with Upamecano, while Liverpool remain the favourites to sign Guehi after their failed approach in the summer. This means that Real Madrid could look to move for Jacquet instead next summer.

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