Who is Jeremy Jacquet? The new William Saliba being 'tracked by Arsenal' | OneFootball

The French starlet is one of Europe’s most exciting young defenders

Familiar talent: Jeremy Jacquet

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Arsenal have reportedly made initial contact with Rennes over young defender Jeremy Jacquet.

The 20-year-old is enjoying a burgeoning reputation across Europe, which has reportedly prompted interest from clubs in Germany.

However, Rennes are currently unwilling to sell, having extended Jacquet’s contract in May.

In his dust: Jeremy Jacquet

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Proving his worth on loan at Clermont last season, Jacquet made 17 appearances and played 1,460 minutes before being recalled by Rennes in January. Upon his return, he quickly established himself as a regular starter at just 19 years old.

Now 20, the right-footed defender primarily operates as a right centre-back, though he has also featured at right-back on occasion. Exceptionally quick across the ground, the defender was a standout performer as France reached the final of the UEFA Under-19 European Championship last year.

His playing style draws comparisons to Arsenal pair William Saliba and Gabriel, as he is aggressive, proactive, and unafraid to push high up the pitch to challenge attackers. He consistently records high tackle and interception numbers per 90 minutes, reflecting his defensive intensity and anticipation.

His playing style draws comparisons to Saliba and Gabriel; aggressive, proactive, unafraid to push up

While at Rennes, Jacquet shared the pitch with several rising stars, including PSG’s Champions League breakout Desire Doue, Tottenham’s Mathys Tel, and Chelsea’s Lesley Ugochukwu. Last season, he posted the highest progressive action rate among all under-21 players across Europe’s top seven leagues.

Much like Saliba, Jacquet is physically dominant in wide areas and composed under pressure. However, he tends to be more aggressive in stepping out of the defensive line.

On the ball, he is calm, elegant, and confident in possession. He frequently switches play and boasts impressive ball-carrying metrics, averaging 0.78 progressive carries and 0.49 successful take-ons per 90 minutes, outstanding figures for a centre-back.

Arsenal may prefer to secure the defender for 2026, either by signing him now and loaning him back to Rennes for the season, or by waiting until next summer, though that could mean facing increased competition from other clubs.