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Chelsea talks now underway to sign Jeremy Jacquet for Liam Rosenior
Chelsea are believed to have opened negotiations to sign a key January target who’s been praised for his ‘elite’ ball distribution, with Liam Rosenior set to be backed this month.
The west Londoners have significantly ramped up their January plans as Rosenior looks to address multiple problem positions ahead of the February 2 deadline.
The Blues are actively pursuing reinforcements across three key areas, with defensive additions taking priority following their recent struggles at the back.
Chelsea have accelerated their pursuit of a centre-back capable of starting big matches and are growing in confidence they can sign one this month.
The club’s recruitment team has shown a willingness to conduct business this winter rather than waiting for the summer, marking a shift from their earlier stance of minimal mid-season activity.
Chelsea’s defensive search has expanded to include several targets.
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Rosenior’s side have a rumoured interest in Bournemouth’s Marcos Senesi as one of their potential options, with the Argentine centre-back’s composure and passing range aligning with Rosenior’s emphasis on building from the back.
The 28-year-old also brings Premier League experience and left-footed quality that could complement Chelsea’s backline, though Bournemouth are unlikely to sell easily after they already let Antoine Semenyo leave this window.
Beyond defence, Chelsea are also looking for a midfielder and an attacker, with opportunities in those positions potentially materialized this month if attractive deals arise.
However, any business not completed in January is understood to be earmarked for the summer in a more favourable market.
Chelsea have long been after a new central defender, and even failed in an attempt to lure Liverpool’s Virgil van Dijk to Stamford Bridge last year, with the Anfield mainstay immediately rejecting any approach (talkSPORT).
Instead of the Dutchman, Rennes’ Jeremy Jacquet has emerged as a key name on Chelsea’s defensive shortlist, with the young defender’s agent believed to have been contacted multiple times since Christmas.
Now, reliable journalist Ben Jacobs and others have reported that BlueCo are now in talks with Rennes over a deal for the Frenchman.
Chelsea in talks with Rennes for £55m defender Jeremy Jacquet
The 20-year-old, who was linked with a move to Arsenal last summer, ended up signing a new deal with the Ligue 1 side instead, and has since cemented his status as a mainstay for Habib Beye’s side.
Jacobs, via X, claims that while Chelsea are in negotiations with Rennes, they’re poised to demand north of £55 million for their highly-rated defender, and it remains to be seen whether that price tag will be met.
Jacquet is widely regarded as one of Europe’s next rising defensive stars, with Como scout Ben Mattinson lauding his ‘elite’ level passing as one of many standout attributes.
Once Levi Colwill returns from his ACL injury, Jacquet and the Cobham graduate have the potential to complement eachother really well, if Chelsea are inclined to invest that heavily in his signing.
Rennes are in a very strong negotiating position after extending Jacquet’s contract to 2029, so the onus is very much on Chelsea to throw the kitchen sink in pursuit of him.
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