Arsenal’s push to land one of France’s most promising young defenders has hit a dead end. Jérémy Jacquet, the highly-rated 18-year-old centre-back, has rejected a move to north London opting instead to remain with Rennes.
According to @Santi_J_FM, Arsenal were keen on securing Jacquet early in the window. The club had opened talks to bring the France youth international to the Emirates as part of their continued investment in young talent. But Jacquet wasn’t convinced by the move, and has since signed a new deal with Rennes to shut down any further advances.
Arsenal blocked from signing Jacquet as Rennes respond quickly
Arsenal’s interest in Jacquet dates back months, with the club tracking his performances for Rennes and France U19s. His physical presence, passing range, and composure on the ball reportedly appealed to both Mikel Arteta and Andrea Berta, who has been active in reshaping Arsenal’s defensive depth this summer.
However, Rennes acted swiftly. As soon as Jacquet declined Arsenal’s initial approach, the Ligue 1 side moved to lock him into a new contract signaling their intent to make him a key part of their future plans.
Missed opportunity or smart restraint from Arsenal?
While some supporters may see this as a setback, Arsenal have plenty of cover in central defense heading into the 2024/25 season. William Saliba and Gabriel remain first-choice, with Jakub Kiwior and Cristhian Mosquera offering rotational options with Salmon rising through the ranks.
Jacquet could have been another long-term project but in this case, the player simply wasn’t sold on the move. Whether Arsenal revisit the interest in future windows remains to be seen.
Author Opinon
Not every pursuit ends in a signature, and Jérémy Jacquet’s rejection is a reminder that top prospects have power in these negotiations. Arsenal will move on, but it’s clear the club remains aggressive in trying to secure Europe’s best young talents before they hit the spotlight. This one just slipped away for now.
