Chelsea OPTIMISIC over new signing: Record deal in sight for Rosenior

Robin Bairner

17 Jan 2026 09:59 GMT
4 min read

Chelsea have been tipped to sign Rennes centre-back Jeremy Jacquet in a record-breaking deal that would strengthen Liam Rosenior’s side before the close of the January transfer window.

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Rosenior made it plain when speaking to the press that he wants new recruits to his squad but insisted that Chelsea will not be unduly pressed into making rushed signings.

One area that the Blues have pinpointed they want arrivals, though, is the middle of the defence, and it may well be that they target Rennes’ promising youngster Jacquet.

Current ETV

Jérémy Jacquet

D (CR)

Rennes

Jérémy Jacquet

D (CR)

Rennes

ETV Range

€16M - €19.6M

Chelsea want Jacquet: The experts unite

Chelsea have been linked with Jacquet by several transfer experts, backing up reports from Le Parisien and The Telegraph that the 20-year-old Frenchman is on their radar.

Fabrizio Romano, for example, confirmed: “Jeremy Jacquet has been on shortlist since July and remains one of the three names on Chelsea’s list for January.”

Similarly, Ben Jacobs added: “Chelsea and Jeremy Jacquet is one to watch between now and the end of the winter window.

“Contracted until Rennes until 2029 with the French side hoping for a record sale.

“Chelsea are prepared to sign a starting centre-back this month if the right target presents. Cautious optimism they can add to the squad before the window shuts.”

In a separate post, he claimed there is "cautious optimism" a deal will be completed.

Rennes demand club-record fee

Rennes do not want to sell Jacquet, however. The Ligue 1 club are in the thick of the battle for European football after winning eight of their last nine matches across all competitions.

For that reason, they are likely to demand a high price. This will be further fuelled by Bayern Munich’s interest in the player, though Florian Plettenberg says the Germans are not confident of a deal because of Chelsea’s apparently advanced bid.

“Anyone who wants to sign Jeremy Jacquet will have to be very, very persuasive,” according to Rennes head coach Habib Beye early in January.

Rennes are set to demand more than €60 million for their jewel, which would represent a club record fee, surpassing the deal that took Jeremy Doku to Manchester City in 2023 (€60m) and Desire Doue’s €50m transfer to PSG in 2024.

Jacquet only has an Estimated Transfer Value (ETV) of €17.8m, so Chelsea will have to be sure of his potential before completing the deal.

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