Romano: Arsenal contact Ligue 1 club over potential late defensive deal | OneFootball

Arsenal Make Initial Contact for Jeremy Jacquet Amid Centre-Back Planning

French defender on Arsenal radar

Arsenal are exploring defensive reinforcements, with French youth international Jeremy Jacquet now emerging as a potential long-term option. As reported by Fabrizio Romano, the Gunners have made “initial contact to show interest in French 19 year old centre back Jeremy Jacquet.” The player is, in fact, 20, and has just signed a contract extension with Rennes until June 2029.

Jacquet, a product of Rennes’ youth system, is the latest in a line of high-level talents to progress through the Ligue 1 club’s academy, following in the footsteps of Eduardo Camavinga, Ousmane Dembele and Desire Doue. He featured 11 times in Ligue 1 last season, most of those appearances coming as starts in the second half of the campaign.

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Timing dependent on Emirates outgoings

While Arsenal admire Jacquet’s profile, the move is not believed to be imminent. Romano adds, “He’s on the list as option in case of exits this month… or eventually for 2026.”

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The club are monitoring the defender’s development closely, but the next step could hinge on departures from the Emirates. Jakub Kiwior is one name attracting interest elsewhere, with the Poland international understood to be seeking more consistent minutes. Should Kiwior depart before the end of the window, it may accelerate Jacquet’s potential arrival.

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Reinforcements continue across the pitch

This summer has already seen an aggressive recruitment drive from Arsenal. First-team additions include Martin Zubimendi, Noni Madueke, Viktor Gyokeres, Kepa Arrizabalaga, Cristhian Mosquera and Christian Norgaard.

Talks are also ongoing for Crystal Palace midfielder Eberechi Eze, with personal terms reportedly not an issue. The North London club are now aiming to negotiate Palace’s valuation, which had stood at £68 million prior to the expiry of his release clause.

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If completed, Eze would mark signing number seven. Jacquet could follow, either now or in the medium term, as Arsenal continue to blend squad depth with long-term planning.

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There is plenty to admire about Arsenal’s ambition this summer, but the link to Jeremy Jacquet leaves questions. Not because the talent is in doubt, Rennes have a strong track record, but because it once again suggests reactive planning based on potential exits, rather than clear positional prioritisation.

Jakub Kiwior deserves more minutes, and if he leaves, it would be logical to bring in a replacement. But Jacquet, with just 11 Ligue 1 appearances, feels like a player for development rather than immediate cover. Arsenal are still fighting on multiple fronts and cannot afford to be light at the back if injuries hit.

It also raises a recurring concern among fans: are Arsenal collecting talent or building a squad that can push Liverpool and City to the wire? The signing of Mosquera already adds a raw, youthful option in defence. If Jacquet arrives too, will either of them be ready when it matters?

Until outgoings are confirmed, this feels more like groundwork for the future. And while that has its place, clarity in the present is what will define this season.