In a major coup for Liverpool, the Reds have secured a verbal agreement to bring highly rated Rennes centre-back Jeremy Jacquet to Anfield in a transfer potentially worth up to £60 million. The 20-year-old French defender, who had been a prime target for Chelsea, is set to make the switch this summer, bolstering Liverpool’s defensive options amid uncertainties in their backline.
Sources confirm that Liverpool have agreed to a fixed fee of £55 million, with an additional £5 million available in performance-related add-ons. This deal edges out competition from Chelsea, who had tabled an identical offer. However, over the past 48 hours, Jacquet shifted his preference toward Liverpool, influenced by the Blues’ decision to recall Mamadou Sarr from his loan at Strasbourg and retain promising youngster Josh Acheampong.
The move comes at a critical time for Liverpool, who are currently light on centre-back depth. With Virgil van Dijk and Ibrahima Konate as their only fit senior options, the club has been hampered by injuries to Joe Gomez and Giovanni Leoni. Adding to the urgency, Konate’s contract is due to expire at the end of the season, potentially allowing him to depart on a free transfer. Jacquet’s arrival is seen as a long-term solution, offering the young talent a clearer path to regular first-team football compared to Chelsea’s crowded defensive roster.
Chelsea’s squad is indeed overflowing with centre-back talent. The Blues boast Trevoh Chalobah, Wesley Fofana, Tosin Adarabioyo, Benoit Badiashile, Axel Disasi, Aaron Anselmino, and Jorrel Hato in their first-team setup. Levi Colwill is expected to return from injury before the season’s end, while Sarr’s impending return from Strasbourg further deepens their options. That said, not all pieces are set in stone: Disasi, who hasn’t featured for Chelsea this season, is anticipated to depart on Monday’s transfer deadline, and Anselmino will take Sarr’s spot on loan at Strasbourg following his return from Borussia Dortmund.
Jacquet’s decision underscores his belief in securing more consistent playing time at Liverpool, where the defensive unit is less saturated. The young defender’s potential has been a hot topic, especially after Liverpool’s failed pursuit of Marc Guehi from Crystal Palace last summer. That deal collapsed at the eleventh hour, and Guehi eventually joined Manchester City for £20 million in this January window—just six months before his Palace contract expired. Liverpool had eyed Guehi on a free in the summer but balked at the fee City ultimately paid.
French football expert Julien Laurens has been effusive in his praise for Jacquet, highlighting the youngster’s immense promise despite his relative inexperience. “He’s the real deal,” Laurens said. “I know he’s only 20, he hasn’t played for France and he hasn’t played in the Champions League or Europa League. He has a long way to go but he’s been impressive last season, after they [Rennes] called him back from his loan in the second division, and this season, with Habib Beye. You can’t get it wrong. He is going to be amazing. He reminds me of when William Saliba burst onto the scene in France with Saint-Etienne, or Wesley Fofana. It’s about how much you value that potential and talent. You would pay a lot of money for someone who hasn’t really proved much. It’s a lot of money for such a young player.”
This signing represents a bold investment in youth for Liverpool, aligning with their strategy of building for the future under manager Arne Slot. As the club navigates a challenging season, Jacquet’s addition could prove pivotal in stabilizing their defense and pushing for silverware. With the verbal agreement in place, formalities are expected to be completed soon, marking another exciting chapter in Liverpool’s transfer saga.