DONE DEAL: Fabrizio Romano confirmed Arsenal seventh transfer signing of the summer as £70m Frenchman agree to join Arsenal on a FIVE years deal – congratulations Arsenal fans

DONE DEAL: Fabrizio Romano confirmed Arsenal seventh transfer signing of the summer as £70m Frenchman agree to join Arsenal on a FIVE years deal – congratulations Arsenal fans

Arsenal have made ‘initial contact’ with Rennes to discuss a move for highly-rated centre-back Jeremy Jacquet, according to reports.

Following a subdued start to the summer transfer window, Arsenal have bolstered Mikel Arteta’s squad with six key signings.

The likes of Viktor Gyokeres, Martin Zubimendi and Noni Madueke have all arrived at the Emirates Stadium to strengthen a squad that has finished second in the Premier League for the past three seasons.

Despite the heavy investment so far this summer, Arsenal are interested in further deals before the summer transfer deadline, most notably looking to sign Eberechi Eze from Crystal Palace.

Arsenal have also expressed interest in signing highly-rated defender Jacquet and made contact with French club Rennes over a deal according to Fabrizio Romano.

It is claimed the Gunners have made ‘initial contact’ with Rennes, who finished 12th in Ligue 1 last season, to declare their interest in Jacquet.

Arsenal will look to bring Jacquet to north London this month if current defenders move on, but if not they have already indicated they will move for the 20-year-old next summer.

It was reported over the weekend that ‘several clubs’ were keen to sign Kiwior, who made 30 appearances for the Gunners last season.

While the Poland international has struggled for starts since his £17.6m move from Spezia, Arteta would prefer to keep him as he is viewed as an important back-up player.

Kiwior has been heavily linked with a return to Italy and there is also a chance Oleksandr Zinchenko will leave Arsenal this summer.

Who is Jeremy Jacquet?
While only making 12 league appearances for Rennes, towering centre-back Jacquet is rated as one of the most promising defenders in France.

He has represented his country throughout the youth levels and helped France’s U19 side reach the final of the Euros last year by being named in the Team of the Tournament.

Jacquet spent the first-half of last season on loan at Ligue 2 side Clermont before being recalled by Rennes in January.

In a statement at the end of last season, Rennes said: ‘Recalled from Clermont in the winter window, where he had been on loan since January 2024, Jeremy Jacquet has established himself with confidence in the Rennes defence and raised his game to the level of Ligue 1.

Playing in a three-man or four-man defence, or even as a full-back, Jeremy has put in a number of convincing performances for SRFC, demonstrating his ability to adapt on the pitch.

‘On Monday, Jeremy Jacquet signed a new contract with Stade Rennais F.C. that will run until 2029. With this extension, the club is reaffirming its confidence in a player who carries the Red and Black DNA.’

Arnaud Pouille, chief executive of Rennes, added: ‘We’re delighted to see Jeremy extend his contract. It’s a strong signal for the club, which validates a project built with its academy.

Jeremy is a very intelligent, talented young man who is well surrounded by people. He will continue to progress with the Rouge et Noir. I’d also like to thank his family, with whom we have an excellent relationship.’

Loic Desire, sporting director of the French club, said: ‘Jeremy perfectly embodies the club’s desire to build its project around Rennes’ training.

‘He was present at the Gambardella final this weekend, proof of his attachment to the Rouge et Noir academy.

‘He has great qualities, particularly athleticism, and exudes a great deal of confidence and strength for his age. We hope that he will go very far and continue to progress with Stade Rennais F.C.’

Jacquet, meanwhile, said he was ‘very happy’ to extend his contract at Rennes and determined to improve next season.

‘I’m very happy to be extending my contract with my club,’ he said. ‘The season went by very quickly, I played quickly after my return from loan in the winter and I think I played some good games.

‘The aim now is to get back to work and achieve better results next season.’