Why £43m defender rejected Chelsea transfer on deadline day

Chelsea made an unsuccessful last-ditch move to sign Nantes youngster Tylel Tati before the January transfer deadline, according to reports in France.

The Blues explored the possibility of bringing in a centre-back at the start of the transfer window and initially set their sights on Rennes defender Jeremy Jacquet.

Jacquet has further established himself as one of the most promising young centre-halves in French football this season and it appeared the 20-year-old could be destined for Stamford Bridge after several rounds of positive talks.

But after agreeing personal terms with Chelsea, Jacquet would go on to commit his future to Liverpool – with the France Under-21 international set to join up with Arne Slot’s squad in the summer.

This prompted Chelsea to reassess their options again, sending the club in the direction of another highly rated French prospect, namely 18-year-old Nantes sensation Tati.

According to L’Equipe, the Club World Cup holders launched an ambitious approach for Tati with just 48 hours remaining of the window, even testing Nantes’ resolve with an ‘unwritten’ offer in the region of €30million (£26m).

The report claims Tati ‘wanted to take his time before accepting or rejecting’ the offer after Chelsea proposed signing the youngster before sending him on loan to Strasbourg for the second half of the season.

However, after ‘several hours of discussions’ with Chelsea officials on Monday morning, the teenager opted to remain with Nantes for the time being.

When push came to shove, Tati did not want to ditch Nantes midway through the campaign. Instead, Tati he decided he was ‘determined to play out a full season’ in order to help his boyhood team in their fight for Ligue 1 survival.

Tati made his first-team debut for Nantes against PSG last August and has gone on to make a total of 20 appearances in all competitions in his debut season in senior football.

Recent reports emanating out of France suggested Nantes had been demanding a fee in excess of €50m (£43m) for Tati.

Before Chelsea made their January move, Nantes head coach Ahmed Kantari spoke at length the importance of protecting young, talented players with the world at their feet like Tati.

‘The idea isn’t to give young players a lot of playing time, nor to avoid giving them any. It’s to give them playing time in the best possible conditions,’ Kantari told reporters.

‘I am firmly convinced that with his qualities. Tylel Tati can truly reach the very highest level but we can’t place that responsibility on the shoulders of a 17-year-old.

‘There’s a lot of nervous energy and mental pressure that can come with playing so many Ligue 1 matches in quick succession, which demand a lot of mental focus and energy.

‘We can’t place that responsibility on Tylel. He needed a break, to process the first part of the season where he experienced a lot so he could start fresh in January.

‘I really enjoy working with him. He seizes every opportunity. That’s the most important quality of a young player.’

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