Report: Chelsea Told To Pay £55 Million For Defender

Chelsea Transfer News: Jeremy Jacquet Price Tag Sets January Test

Chelsea’s January plans have taken a familiar turn, heavy ambition, heavier numbers, and a lingering sense that potential is once again being priced as certainty. According to talkSPORT, the Blues have been informed they must pay at least £55million to prise Jeremy Jacquet away from Rennes, a figure that underlines both the player’s reputation and the market Chelsea continue to operate within.

As talkSPORT report, “Chelsea will have to fork out at least £55million to sign 20-year-old target Jeremy Jacquet”, a sum Rennes hope will eclipse their previous club-record sale. The Ligue 1 side are “hoping for a fee surpassing the €64m [around £55m] Manchester City handed over for Jermey Doku in the summer of 2023”, placing Jacquet firmly in elite company before his Premier League story has even begun.

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Defensive Need Driving Urgency

Chelsea’s interest feels rooted in necessity as much as strategy. With Levi Colwill missing the entire campaign after an ACL injury, and continued struggles from Trevoh Chalobah, Tosin Adarabioyo, Benoit Badiashile and Wesley Fofana, the club’s patience has worn thin. As noted by talkSPORT, Chelsea “are optimistic of bolstering their options at the back”, a line that hints at how close this pursuit has come to becoming unavoidable.

Jacquet is viewed internally as “the perfect mix of youth and talent”, someone “capable of starting straight away in Liam Rosenior’s side, but also has a high ceiling to improve even further”. That description neatly aligns with Chelsea’s recent recruitment logic, buy young, buy early, and hope development keeps pace with expectation.

Rennes Hold Firm on Valuation

Rennes, understandably, are in no rush. Jacquet’s contract runs until 2029, and talkSPORT sources make clear the French club are prepared to wait. Chelsea “have been told they will need to pay big to secure their target”, a message delivered with little room for compromise.

There is, however, “hope from the Blues’ side that a deal can be struck before the January window closes on February 2”. Hope, in this context, feels like shorthand for creative negotiation rather than a softened stance from Rennes.

Pathway That Fuels Belief

Jacquet’s rise explains the confidence around him. He starred as France reached the final of the U19 Euros in 2024 and has already shown adaptability, playing at centre-back and right-back after being recalled from a productive loan spell. His journey, from academy prospect to Ligue 1 regular, adds narrative weight to the price tag, even if it does not yet guarantee Premier League readiness.

Our View – EPL Index Analysis

From a Chelsea supporter’s perspective, this report lands with a mix of excitement and fatigue. Jeremy Jacquet sounds like exactly the sort of defender the club should be targeting, young, composed, already battle-tested in France, and comfortable across the back line. The line that he is “one of Europe’s most exciting young players” naturally stirs optimism, especially for fans craving a defender who can grow with the team rather than simply plug a hole.

At the same time, £55million feels like another leap of faith. Supporters have watched similar bets before, some paying off, others leaving Chelsea with an unbalanced squad and long contracts that limit flexibility. 

Fans may also question timing. January signings carry urgency, yet they rarely bring immediate stability. Still, with Colwill absent and defensive errors becoming routine, many will accept that decisive action matters more than perfect conditions. If Chelsea are serious about building a defence that can anchor future title pushes, then committing to Jacquet could be seen as a statement of intent. The concern, as ever, lies in whether potential once again comes at the cost of patience.