Jeremy Jacquet Chooses Liverpool Over Chelsea in High-Profile Transfer
Chelsea have been dealt a significant blow in the transfer market as their pursuit of defender Jeremy Jacquet has ended in disappointment. The Rennes centre-back has instead agreed to join Premier League rivals Liverpool in a deal reportedly worth £60 million, according to BBC Sport. This development has forced Chelsea manager Liam Rosenior to swiftly shift focus to alternative targets as the transfer deadline approaches at 7pm.
Game Time Concerns Influence Decision
Sky Sports reporter Gail Davis has revealed the key reason behind Jacquet's decision to snub Chelsea. The 20-year-old French youth international reportedly believed that a move to Stamford Bridge would not guarantee him the desired amount of playing time. In contrast, Liverpool presented a more appealing opportunity, particularly given the contractual situations of their current defenders. Ibrahima Konate is out of contract this summer, while Virgil van Dijk's deal expires next year, potentially opening up more immediate prospects for Jacquet in the Reds' lineup.
Davis explained, "What happened with Jacquet is despite, as we understand, Chelsea offering the same deal as Liverpool did, the player felt his minutes may not be what was desired if he made that big move into the Premier League." She added that Chelsea had been actively seeking to strengthen their centre-back position, with Jacquet linked to the club for several weeks.
Chelsea's Defensive Alternatives and Squad Dynamics
With Jacquet opting for Liverpool, Chelsea are now exploring other options to bolster their defence. One notable development is the recall of Mamadou Sarr from his loan spell at Strasbourg. Sarr, who recently impressed for Senegal at the Africa Cup of Nations and played against PSG, is a player Rosenior knows well from his time at Strasbourg. The £13 million signing is seen as a less risky option, with Rosenior confident he can integrate quickly into the squad.
Additionally, Rosenior has expressed a desire to retain young talent Josh Acheampong, despite limited game time, highlighting the depth already present in Chelsea's defensive line. This crowded backline likely contributed to Jacquet's perception that Liverpool offered a clearer path to regular football.
Profile of Jeremy Jacquet
Jeremy Jacquet is a promising centre-back who has been with Rennes since 2019, progressing through their academy and youth teams. He made his breakthrough into the B team in 2022 and gained valuable experience during a loan spell at Clermont Foot in 2024. This season, he has made 19 appearances for Rennes, bringing his total to 31 across all competitions. Despite being under contract until 2029, his move to Liverpool now seems imminent, leaving Chelsea to regroup and pursue other targets before the deadline.
Chelsea's attention now turns to their upcoming Carabao Cup semi-final second leg against Arsenal on Tuesday night, as they aim to bounce back from this transfer setback.
