Chelsea’s long-running search for a dominant young centre-back has led them to Rennes defender Jeremy Jacquet, but any move for the 20-year-old is likely to come with a huge price tag.
Jacquet is viewed as one of the standout defensive prospects in France, and Rennes are in a strong position when it comes to negotiations. The club rate the centre-back at around £60 million, a figure that underlines both his potential and his growing importance to the Ligue 1 side.
The interest is not only about talent, but about style. Jacquet’s game has been compared to one of Chelsea’s biggest rivals, with the Rennes man known for his calm passing, strong reading of play and ability to step out from the back to start attacks.
That modern profile is exactly what Chelsea have been tracking as they continue to reshape the squad with younger targets, but Rennes have little reason to sell cheaply. With Jacquet still early in his career and developing fast, the French club can afford to demand top money to even consider a deal.
It has been revealed that Chelsea may have to pay as much as £60m to land Jacquet, with Rennes set to hold firm on their valuation as interest grows in the defender.
For Chelsea, the challenge is clear: if they truly want a centre-back with Jacquet’s ceiling and personality on the ball, they may have to match a price that would place him among the most expensive young defenders in Europe.
