Story byChelsea in talks for Ligue 1 starEPL IndexMon, January 19, 2026 at 5:50 PM UTC·3 min readChelsea Accelerate Plans in Talks With Rennes Over Defensive ReinforcementChelsea’s transfer strategy has shifted gear. According to ESPN, the club have opened discussions with Rennes over a potential move for Jérémy Jacquet, reflecting a decision to act sooner than initially planned. The Blues had intended a quiet winter before addressing defensive needs in the summer, but growing interest from rival clubs has prompted earlier movement. Photo IMAGOAdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementJacquet, a France under 21 international, is understood to be open to a Premier League switch.