Chelsea are set to welcome back Mamadou Sarr following their failed pursuit of Jeremy Jacquet, who has opted to join Liverpool instead. The Senegalese international arrived in London on Monday (transfer deadline day) to complete his return to Stamford Bridge after being recalled from his loan spell at Strasbourg.

The 20-year-old defender was originally meant to remain with Chelsea's sister club for the entire campaign and even captained Strasbourg on Sunday during their 2-1 home defeat to PSG.

But the Blues decided to bring him back to west London ahead of schedule to strengthenLiam Rosenior's defensive options, despite exploring other centre-back targets in January.

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Among the players they attempted to sign was Rennes defender Jacquet, 20. Chelsea entered negotiations with the French youngster and are understood to have tabled an identical package to Liverpool's offer.

Yet, with Sarr's return to Chelsea and Josh Acheampong remaining in west London, Jacquet felt his chances of regular first-team football would be greater at Anfield and ultimately changed his mind.

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The talented prospect chose a deadline day switch to Anfield, with a guaranteed fee of £55million plus a possible £5m in performance-based add-ons agreed between Liverpool and Rennes. However, should the transfer be completed, he won't be joining the Reds during this window and will instead link up with them in the summer.

The Blues, meanwhile, can already call upon central defenders Trevoh Chalobah, Wesley Fofana, Tosin Adarabioyo, Benoit Badiashile, Axel Disasi, Aaron Anselmino and Jorrel Hato.

Levi Colwill may also be back from injury before the campaign concludes. Liverpool have only Virgil van Dijk and Ibrahima Konate available due to injuries and their failure to seal Marc Guehi's transfer last summer.

Jacquet came through the Rennes youth system and has featured for the club 18 times this term. A series of standout displays attracted attention from several top European sides, with Liverpool viewing him as a long-term investment.

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

Sarr was expected to re-join Chelsea this summer with a view to being integrated into the first-team squad for the 2026/27 season but is now set to feature sooner than anticipated.