Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta could round off a big-spending summer with one final move before the Premier League transfer window closes on September 1.
Arteta has spent an estimated £195m on six new signings ahead of the 2025/26 campaign just below his highest seasonal outlay of £205m from 2023/24.
Amongst the new faces at the Emirates Stadium is Swedish goal machine Viktor Gyokeres, who arrives on the back of scoring 97 goals in 102 games for Sporting CP, with Martin Zubimendi coming in as a vital addition in midfield.
Thomas Partey and Jorginho moved on at the end of their respective contracts in June with Kieran Tierney and Takehiro Tomiyasu also released.
Cristhian Mosquera has been the sole defender brought in by Arteta in recent weeks, with fans confident over the Gunners defensive options, bolstered by contract extensions for Gabriel Magalhaes and Myles Lewis-Skelly.
However, as per reports from transfer expert Fabrizio Romano, Arteta has reached out to French side Rennes over a potential move for highly-rated centre-back Jeremy Jacquet.
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France U21 international Jacquet has emerged through the youth ranks at Rennes, and spent last season on loan at Clermont, before signing a contract extension at Roazhon Park in June.
However, an offer will only be tabled if Arteta can secure exits from his squad, after the being told by the club hierarchy that sales are needed.
Oleksandr Zinchenko has been linked with a move away, but the trigger for Jacquet could be a Serie A return for Jakub Kiwior, who has struggled to nail down a starting spot since joining from Spezia in 2023.
Several Italian sides are rumoured to be tracking the Poland international, but Arteta is open to keeping him as a versatile defensive cover option, which could push a move Jacquet on until 2026.
If Zinchenko and Kiwior do leave, Arteta still has a deep pool of defenders for 2025/26, including: Gabriel, Mosquera, Lewis-Skelly, William Saliba, Ben White, Jurrien Timber and Riccardo Calafiori.
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