On Monday, the 2nd of February, at approximately 23:00 GMT (18:00 ET), the winter transfer window will slam shut until the summer. As usual, there is plenty of anticipation ahead of what is always a very busy day. 

The excitement and angst will be no different to the Chelsea faithful, who are still hopeful of the club getting at least one new face through the door before the deadline, whether that be a new signing, a loan recall, or maybe even both. 

There is still an expectation that Mamadou Sarr will be officially recalled from his loan at RC Strasbourg, with Aaron Anselmino heading the other way, all before tomorrow's deadline. 

However, one external central defender the club has been looking at is another Ligue 1 defender, with 20-year-old Rennes prospect Jeremy Jacquet, someone the club has been trying to sign. 

Throughout this transfer window, Chelsea have been linked with a move for Jacquet, whether that is a deal now or for the summer. In recent days, his name has been mentioned more and more. 

But, his name is now popping up for all of the wrong reasons. Indeed, as according to Fabrizio Romano, the Frenchman will be joining fellow Premier League side Liverpool, instead. He reports the fee is 60 million Euros, plus another 10m in add ons, with the player joining this summer. 

Furthermore, Romano says that he could have signed for Chelsea, but preferred Liverpool's project - mentioning that having Sarr, Josh Acheampong, Anselmino and co at the club, fellow young centre backs, impacted the player's final choice. 

Understandable really. You would imagine there is a clearer pathway for him in the first team at Liverpool. Captain Virgil van Dijk is 35 this summer, and Ibrahima Konate is out of contract, with no signs suggesting he will sign a new deal on Merseyside. 

As for Chelsea, it is clear they tried and did show ambition. It wasn't for a lack of trying or of funds. This has come down to the player himself deciding to move to Liverpool instead. 

So, assuming the above all goes to plan, the news regarding central defenders will almost certainly come from the impending recall for Sarr, with Anselmino heading the other way. There will be no signing of Jacquet, or any other external signing in that position, by the looks of things. 

Whether another signing comes through the door remains to be seen. It doesn't sound likely at the moment, but with Chelsea, you can never rule things out. 

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