Chelsea’s top January transfer target Jeremy Jacquet is ‘the real deal’ and has been compared to Arsenal defender William Saliba.
Jacquet, 20, has emerged as Chelsea’s No. 1 target during the January transfer window.
Despite only making 29 appearances for boyhood club Rennes in France, Jacquet is rated as one of the most exciting young players in Europe.
Premier League leaders Arsenal have also shown interest in Jacquet but Chelsea appear to be at the front of the queue after agreeing personal terms with the player.
Chelsea have also held talks with Rennes but are currently some way apart in terms of a transfer fee, with the Blues reluctant to pay more than £50m and the Ligue 1 side wanting almost £60m.
Rennes sold Jeremy Doku to Manchester City for £55m in 2023 and are believed to be hoping for an even bigger fee for French U19 Euros runner-up Jacquet.
If Chelsea complete a deal for Jacquet, he is expected to go straight into Liam Rosenior’s first team instead of going out on loan, as has been the case for a number of the Blues’ signings in recent years.
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French football expert Julian Laurens believes Jacquet is ‘the real deal’ and understands why Chelsea are pursuing the ‘amazing’ talent, even comparing him with Arsenal star Saliba.
Saliba has developed into one of the best defenders in the world since signing for Arsenal in 2019.
Like Jacquet, Saliba came through in Ligue 1 – impressing for Saint-Etienne before earning a £27m move to the Emirates Stadium.
‘I think he is the real deal,’ Laurens told Sky Sports. ‘I know he’s only 20 and has very little experience, even in Ligue 1 because he hasn’t played for France or in the Champions League or even the Europa League.
‘There’s still a long time to go for him but he’s been impressive since he was recalled from his loan in the second division last season.
‘He’s a player Liam Rosenior will know because he’s played against him and seen him in action. You can’t get it wrong, really, because he is amazing and he is going to be amazing.
Chelsea’s next five fixtures
Chelsea vs Pafos – Wednesday 21th January (Champions League)
Crystal Palace vs Chelsea – Sunday 25th January (Premier League)
Napoli vs Chelsea – Wednesday 28th January (Champions League)
Chelsea vs West Ham – Saturday 31st January (Premier League)
Arsenal vs Chelsea – Tuesday 3rd February (Carabao Cup)
‘He reminds me a bit of William Saliba when he burst onto the scene in France at Saint-Etienne.
‘The question is how much do they value the potential and talent because he’s only 20 and you’re paying a lot for someone who hasn’t proved much because he hasn’t played many games.
‘So how much are Chelsea ready to pay? Rennes want more than Man City paid for Doku which was 64m euros. So Chelsea will need to pay at least £60m which is a lot of money for such a young player.’
Chelsea are yet to make any January signings for new head coach Rosenior, who replaced Enzo Maresca following his departure on New Year’s Day.
But ex-Chelsea defender Glen Johnson expects Stamford Bridge bosses to make ‘one or two’ signings before the January transfer window closes.
‘I think Chelsea will back Liam in January as long as it’s a sensible transfer,’ Johnson told Metro. ‘Chelsea have always backed their managers.
‘But they aren’t going to give him a war chest in his first transfer window, they’ll want to see what he brings first. I think they’ll make one or two signings this month just to give Liam some of his own players.
‘Liam and everyone at the club knows that Chelsea already have a brilliant squad, and we have seen glimpses of how good they can be under Maresca earlier in the season.
‘So, I think Liam’s job is to get the team back to that kind of form. He needs to get the players all enjoying their football again and then achieve positive results consistently.
‘Once he has them in good form, they’ll be extremely hard to beat with the talent they have all over the pitch.
‘They have a really nice blend of older, more experienced players and youth throughout the squad, and every player is talented.
‘They’ve been ruthless in offloading and isolating players, and I think they have one of the strongest squads in the league.
‘However, Liam has to get them winning now, that’s the only thing he will be focusing on, and any transfer business will be a bonus for him.’
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