Rennes head coach Habib Beye has urged the club to reject all offers from Chelsea for Jeremy Jacquet this January.

The Blues are keen to bolster their defensive options before the transfer deadline and have identified Jacquet as their primary target having scouted the 20-year-old for a number of months.

Jacquet, enjoying only his second full season of professional football, is widely regarded to be among the most promising young centre-backs in France and was heavily linked with Arsenal last summer.

However, Chelsea have since emerged as the clear frontrunners to secure a deal for Jacquet and widespread reports over the weekend claimed the Club World Cup winners had agreed personal terms with the defender.

While Jacquet is said to be eager to push through a move to Stamford Bridge, Rennes’ asking price – thought to be in the region of £56million – is currently proving a stumbling block in transfer negotiations.

It’s understood there is a reluctance within Chelsea’s hierarchy to shell out in excess of £50m for the France Under-21 international – but this could change if Rennes refuse to budge on their valuation.

It remains to be seen if Jacquet has played his final match for...