Chelsea have agreed personal terms with Jeremy Jacquet but will still need to enhance their bid to sign the Rennes defender and Arsenal transfer goal.
Latest Blues boss Liam Rosenior is keen to bolster his defensive options after replacing Enzo Maresca at Stamford Bridge earlier within the month.
Rosenior has made a mixed begin to his reign at Chelsea, beating Charlton within the FA Cup and Brentford within the Premier League either side of a Carabao Cup semi-final first-leg defeat to Arsenal.
While the previous Strasbourg boss has repeatedly talked up the talent of his Chelsea squad, he’s believed to be hoping to sign a brand new centre-back before the January transfer window shuts.
Enzo Maresca was left dissatisfied by Chelsea’s decision to not sign a alternative for the injured Levi Colwill last summer and Rosenior can be keen to strengthen in that area of the pitch.
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Chelsea first expressed interest in French centre-back Jacquet six months ago and have stepped up their transfer efforts because the January window opened.
Jacquet signed a contract extension at Ligue 1 side Rennes in May but did so with the agreement that he can be sold should an acceptable offer arrive amid interest from Arsenal in addition to Chelsea.
Nevertheless it is the blue side of London that look like on the front of the queue to sign Jacquet, with Chelsea agreeing personal terms with the player, in response to Fabrizio Romano.
It’s claimed Jacquet is happy about the opportunity of joining Chelsea but desire a club record sale fee of around £56m to sanction his departure.
Chelsea have up to now shown a reluctance to pay over £50m for Jacquet and hope Rennes backtrack on their transfer demand and sell him for cheaper.
Rennes could use Arsenal’s interest to pressurise Chelsea into paying more, with the Gunners known admirers of a player who has been tipped as a future France international.
Jacquet, 20, starred in France U19’s run to the Euro 2024 final and was subsequently named within the Team of the Tournament.
Big-spending Chelsea are yet to make any January signings but often wait until nearer the deadline to work on deals.
They’ve cut short one loanee’s spell at Stamford Bridge, nonetheless, with Facundo Buonanotte heading back to parent club Brighton ahead of a summer move to Leeds United.
‘We thank Facundo for his efforts throughout his time at Chelsea and want him well for the longer term,’ the Blues said in a press release.
The Blues have tasked Rosenior to get Chelsea back into the Champions League, with the club currently sixth within the Premier League, two points outside the top-four places.
Chelsea were removed from at their best on Saturday but still managed to beat west London rivals Brentford 2-0 due to goals from Joao Pedro and Cole Palmer.
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