€50m on the table: Chelsea go all in for France's next defensive gem

What time of the year is it? The time for Chelsea to spend some more millions on new signings.

As things stand, the Blues are moving decisively in the January Transfer Window. According to Fabrice Hawkins, the Blues have made Rennes centre-back Jeremy Jacquet, 20, a priority target and are preparing a concrete move before the window slams shut.

Talks between Stamford Bridge and Les Rouges et Noirs are already underway, with Chelsea keen to get ahead of a rapidly growing queue. Jacquet's rise this season has not gone unnoticed: Bayern Munich, Manchester United and Liverpool are all tracking the French youth international. For now, however, it is Chelsea who are furthest along.

The Londoners are ready to turn interest into action. Hawkins reports that Chelsea are preparing an opening bid of around €50 million for the 20-year-old defender, underlining just how highly he is rated at Cobham.

Whether that figure will satisfy Rennes remains an open question. The Ligue 1 side is aware of the level of competition for Jacquet's signature - and of the leverage that brings - meaning Chelsea may yet have to dig deeper if they want to secure one of France's most promising young defenders.

LIGUE 1 - MATCHDAY 18

Friday

Monaco - Lorient 1-3 (0-0)

/Fati 76 - Dieng 68, Makengo 85, Karim 87/

PSG - Lille 3-0 (1-0)

/Dembele 13, 64, Barcola 90+3/

Saturday

Lens - Auxerre 1-0 (0-0)

/Said 65/

Toulouse - Nice 5-1 (2-0)

/Hidalgo 7, 55, Magri 45, Casseres Jr. 74, Vignolo 80 - Wahi 49/

Angers - Olympique Marseille 1-5 (1-4)

/Sbai 45+2 - Gouiri 19, Greenwood 24, Traore 34, Weah 40, Paixao 88/

Sunday

17.00: (1.55) Strasbourg (4.10) Metz (6.00)

19.15: (3.10) Nantes (3.40) Paris (2.45)

19.15: (1.68) Rennes (3.70) Le Havre (5.40)

22.45: (1.65) Olympique Lyon (4.00) Brest (5.30)

***odds are subject to change***