Chelsea responds to Jeremy Jacquet move to Liverpool with own transfer decision

Jeremy Jacquet has opted to join Liverpool over Chelsea in a summer transfer deal, with the Blues responding by recalling Mamadou Sarr from his Strasbourg loan

Mamadou Sarr has joined Strasbourg on a season-long loan deal(Image: Stephen Nadler/ISI Photos)

Chelsea is poised to be reunited with Mamadou Sarr after losing out on Jeremy Jacquet to Liverpool.

Senegal international Sarr touched down in London on transfer deadline day to complete his return to Stamford Bridge, having been summoned back from his Strasbourg loan stint, with Jacquet preferring a move to Liverpool over joining Chelsea this summer.

The 20 year old centre-half was scheduled to spend the full campaign with Chelsea's sister club and even donned the captain's armband on Sunday as Strasbourg fell 2-1 at home to PSG. The Blues chose to recall him to Stamford Bridge prematurely to strengthen Liam Rosenior's squad, despite evaluating alternative centre-back targets in January.

Among the players they attempted to secure was Rennes defender Jacquet, 20. Chelsea conducted discussions with the Frenchman and allegedly tabled the identical package as Liverpool.

Nevertheless, given Sarr's comeback to Chelsea and Josh Acheampong remaining in west London, Jacquet felt he would feature more consistently at Anfield and consequently altered his decision.

The talented prospect selected a deadline day switch to Anfield, with a guaranteed fee of £55million plus a potential £5m ($75M plus $7M) in performance-related add-ons settled between Liverpool and Rennes.

Yet, assuming a deal materialises, he will not be joining the Reds in the current transfer window, instead linking up with them in the summer.

The Blues, meanwhile, already possess central defenders Trevoh Chalobah, Wesley Fofana, Tosin Adarabioyo, Benoit Badiashile, Axel Disasi, Aaron Anselmino and Jorrel Hato amongst their options. Levi Colwill might also make his comeback from injury before the campaign concludes.

Jeremy Jacquet is set to undergo his Liverpool medical on Monday

Liverpool have only Virgil van Dijk and Ibrahima Konaté at their disposal owing to injuries and their failure to secure Marc Guehi last summer.

Jacquet progressed through the Rennes academy and has featured for the club 18 times this season. A series of outstanding displays attracted attention from several of Europe's top clubs, with Liverpool viewing him as a future prospect.

Sarr, conversely, arrived at Chelsea from Strasbourg in a £12m transfer last June and made his bow against ES Tunis in the Club World Cup. He was subsequently loaned back to the Ligue 1 outfit this season, where he continued developing under Rosenior.

Sarr was expected to rejoin Chelsea in the summer before his introduction to the first team ahead of the 2026/27 season but is now anticipated to feature sooner than originally envisaged.