According to multiple reports citing Fabrizio Romano, Chelsea have been in active and positive discussions with the player and his representatives. Personal terms are reportedly agreed or very close, with Jacquet keen on the move to Stamford Bridge. The Blues view him as a key addition to bolster their centre-back options amid defensive inconsistencies and injuries this season under manager Liam Rosenior (who took over following previous managerial changes).
Chelsea’s interest stems from their need for an immediate and long-term defensive reinforcement. They’ve pursued Jacquet aggressively, including direct talks with Rennes, but negotiations have hit complications. Rennes are holding out for a club-record fee in the region of €65 million (around £55m), while Chelsea have been reluctant to meet that valuation outright—offering closer to £35m-£40m plus add-ons in some accounts. This gap has made the deal “complicated” and “difficult” at this stage, with no club-to-club agreement finalized despite ongoing conversations.
The situation has now escalated with heavy competition entering the fray. Romano has confirmed that Liverpool and Bayern Munich are seriously involved in the race, following Jacquet closely and pushing to secure him either in January or for the summer. This has turned the pursuit into a multi-club battle, with Chelsea no longer in a dominant position. The momentum behind the scenes is building fast for these rivals, potentially shaking up Chelsea’s plans if they can’t close the deal quickly.
Chelsea have alternatives lined up, including a shortlist featuring players like Jacobo Ramon or Marcos Senesi from Bournemouth, and they’ve already taken action by recalling Aaron Anselmino from his loan at Borussia Dortmund to provide cover. However, Jacquet remains the top priority for an immediate impact and future development, given his status as one of Europe’s most promising young defenders (France U21 international with strong physical attributes, ball-playing ability, and composure).
This development could seriously disrupt Chelsea’s defensive rebuild. If Liverpool or Bayern succeed in hijacking the move—possibly by matching or exceeding Rennes’ demands—the Blues might miss out on a player they’ve invested significant scouting and negotiation time in. With the window closing soon (end of January 2026), decisions are approaching rapidly, and Chelsea face a high-stakes race.
Romano’s updates emphasize that while Chelsea are “in the race” and have had “very positive conversations” on the player side, the lack of club agreement and rising competition from top European sides means the outcome remains uncertain. This could force Chelsea to pivot to other targets or even accelerate alternative deals in the final days.
Broader context: Chelsea’s January has been relatively quiet compared to their usual activity, with limited incomings (mostly recalls and minor additions like Yisa Alao from Sheffield Wednesday). The Jacquet saga highlights their shift toward more calculated, youth-focused signings amid financial considerations post the heavy spending eras. If the deal falls through due to this strong rival interest, it might signal a missed opportunity in a window where defensive reinforcements were deemed important.
Overall, the transfer race for Jacquet is heating up intensely, with real momentum behind the scenes as described by Romano—potentially leaving Chelsea scrambling if a rival club seals the signature first. Fans will be watching closely for any late breakthroughs or shifts in the coming days. (Word count: 728)
