In a significant coup for the upcoming season, Liverpool Football Club have reportedly secured the signature of highly-rated Rennes defender Jeremy Jacquet, outmanoeuvring Premier League rivals Chelsea in a substantial transfer agreement. The deal, valued at an initial £55 million with potential add-ons reaching £5 million, marks a major investment in defensive reinforcements for the Reds, though the player will not arrive until the summer window.
Liverpool Clinch Deal for Coveted Young Talent
The Athletic has reported that Liverpool have successfully negotiated terms with French club Rennes for the transfer of Jeremy Jacquet, a 20-year-old centre-back who has emerged as one of Europe's most promising defensive prospects. This development concludes a competitive pursuit, with Chelsea also vying aggressively for the player, while German giants Bayern Munich were previously linked with an interest.
Jacquet, who made his professional debut for Rennes in January 2024 and enhanced his reputation during a loan spell at Clermont, has since become a fixture in their first team. Despite his youth, he has already showcased his talent on the international stage, starring in the 2024 European Under-19 Championship where he was named in the Team of the Tournament, though he is yet to earn a senior cap for France.
Strategic Summer Arrival Amid Current Defensive Crisis
While the agreement provides a boost for Liverpool's long-term plans, it does little to alleviate their immediate defensive woes. The club is currently grappling with a severe injury crisis at the back, which has exposed their lack of depth in key positions.
The situation is particularly acute at right-back, where both Jeremie Frimpong and Conor Bradley are sidelined, forcing midfielder Dominik Szoboszlai to deputise in defence during the recent match against Newcastle. Additionally, Joe Gomez remains unavailable, leaving manager Arne Slot with minimal options beyond the first-choice central pairing of Virgil van Dijk and Ibrahima Konate.
This acquisition addresses a priority area identified by Liverpool's recruitment team, following the collapsed summer move for Marc Guehi, who subsequently joined Manchester City. Personal terms with Jacquet are not expected to pose an issue, smoothing the path for his arrival in June.
Rennes' Reluctance to Part with a Key Player
Rennes head coach Habib Beye has been vocal about his desire to retain Jacquet, emphasising the defender's importance to the club's objectives this season. Speaking to reporters, Beye acknowledged the challenge of resisting approaches from elite clubs but remained firm in his stance.
"I believe that today he is a very important player for our objectives," Beye stated. "If tomorrow we were to let him go, we would have to lower our expectations. He is one of the best players in our team and so we have to resist that approach."
The former Newcastle and Aston Villa player added that while external offers can create uncertainty, he is committed to keeping Jacquet for the remainder of the campaign, a wish that will be fulfilled as the transfer is scheduled for the summer.
This strategic move by Liverpool underscores their intent to strengthen defensively ahead of the next season, securing a talented young defender who has already attracted attention from top European clubs, and marking a notable victory in the transfer market over Chelsea.
