Wonderkid Arsenal target considered NOT for sale this summer

One wonderkid that Arsenal have eyed this summer has been deemed not for sale by his club, in a stumbling block for the Gunners.

Arsenal have made an approach for Stade Rennais centre-back Jérémy Jacquet. The Gunners targeted the 20-year-old defender as a potential addition in the event of either Oleksandr Zinchenko or Jakub Kiwior departing North London.

According to transfer guru Fabrizio Romano, Rennes consider Jacquet not for sale this summer, after the youngster extended his deal at the Ligue 1 club until June 2029 last May.

Arsenal’s approach comes amid uncertainty over Zinchenko and Kiwior’s futures. Zinchenko made just five Premier League starts during the 2024/25 season and has been linked with moves to AC Milan and Borussia Dortmund. Kiwior has attracted interest from Serie A clubs, though Arsenal rejected a recent offer from a Portuguese club for the Polish defender.

Jacquet joined Rennes’ academy in 2019 aged 14 from Joinville. The centre-back signed his first professional contract in September 2022, before making his debut in just January 2024.

The defender was loaned to Clermont Foot for the 2023/24 season to gain first-team experience. Rennes recalled him early from his second loan spell at Clermont in February 2025, and the Frenchman wasted no time in securing his starting spot.

The club’s academy system is dubbed as one of the best in Europe, producing the likes of Désiré Doué, Ousmane Dembélé, and Eduardo Camavinga in recent years.

Jacquet himself has represented France at youth level, featuring in France’s run to the U19 European Championship final.

The Bondy-born defender at €10 million, and while Rennes’ stance is clear that Jacquet is not for sale, the Gunners remain keen on a possible move next season.

While Mikel Arteta believes the club has done ‘very, very well so far’ in the market, the Gunners continue to eye reinforcements ahead of another Premier League title challenge.