Manchester City have reportedly entered the race to sign Rennes’ defensive prodigy Jérémy Jacquet, potentially overtaking Chelsea and Bayern Munich in the pursuit of the French starlet.
Despite already securing the high-profile signings of Marc Guéhi and Antoine Semenyo this month, Pep Guardiola remains determined to bolster his defensive ranks. According to journalist Christian Falk, the Cityzens are now leading the charge for the 20-year-old Jacquet, who is regarded as one of the most promising center-backs in Ligue 1.
The Financial Advantage
While Chelsea has long been linked with Jacquet, Manchester City’s primary competition for the youngster’s signature comes from Bayern Munich. However, the German giants are currently hamstrung by financial constraints; they reportedly need to finalize the sale of Kim Min-jae (a target for Chelsea) before they can sanction a move for the Frenchman. This delay has handed City a significant “pole position” in negotiations.
A Rapid Rise in French Football
Jérémy Jacquet is the latest product of the renowned Rennes academy. After a successful loan spell at Clermont, where he netted two goals and provided two assists in 24 appearances, he has established himself as a regular starter for Rennes this season. With 17 appearances already in the 2025/26 campaign, his composure and physical presence have drawn comparisons to some of France’s greatest modern defenders.
🚨 BREAKING: Man City have entered the race to sign Rennes’ Jeremy Jacquet and are closing in on signing him. 🇫🇷🔵
Man City are knocking on the Rennes defender’s door, alongside Chelsea.
[@cfbayern] pic.twitter.com/42QXWVTFrZ
— Bucky®️ (@Buck7990) January 23, 2026
Competition at the Etihad
Should Jacquet arrive in Manchester, he will face elite competition for a starting spot. Guardiola’s defensive stable is already packed with talent, including Rúben Dias, John Stones, Nathan Aké, and the newly-arrived Marc Guéhi.
Guéhi, in fact, is expected to make his official debut for City this Saturday against Wolverhampton. The English international arrives with impressive credentials, having registered four goal involvements in 20 Premier League games for Crystal Palace earlier this season.
Ronald Mike is a football writer covering the English Premier League, providing match analysis, tactical insight, and coverage of key rivalries and title races across the season.
