Liverpool have pulled off one of the most eye-catching transfer twists of the season, beating Premier League rivals Chelsea to the signing of highly-rated Rennes defender Jeremy Jacquet in a deal worth up to £60 million.
The 20-year-old French centre-back, long admired by Chelsea’s recruitment team, is now set to head to Anfield in the summer—marking a significant win for Liverpool in the race for elite young defensive talent.
How The Deal Came Together
According to reports, Liverpool have agreed a package worth £55m guaranteed, with an additional £5m in performance-related add-ons. While personal terms are still to be finalised, sources suggest they are not expected to be an obstacle.
The agreement is already in place ahead of the 2026–27 season, underlining Liverpool’s long-term planning under Arne Slot.
Chelsea Miss Out—Despite Matching The Offer
Chelsea were heavily involved in talks and even matched Liverpool’s financial proposal. However, circumstances within their squad worked against them.
With Mamadou Sarr set to return, Josh Acheampong staying put, and an already crowded centre-back department, Jacquet reconsidered his options. Liverpool’s clearer pathway to first-team football ultimately proved decisive.
Why Jacquet Chose Liverpool
The move makes sense on multiple levels:
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Liverpool are light on centre-back options
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Virgil van Dijk turns 35 this summer
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Ibrahima Konaté’s contract situation remains uncertain
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Injuries to Joe Gomez and Giovanni Leoni have exposed depth issues
At Chelsea, Jacquet would have faced stiff competition from an already stacked defensive lineup including Fofana, Badiashile, Disasi, Colwill, and Anselmino.
At Liverpool, he has a genuine opportunity to grow into a key figure—both immediately and for the future.
Who Is Jeremy Jacquet?
A product of Rennes’ academy, Jacquet has made 18 Ligue 1 appearances this season and is already a France Under-21 international. Calm on the ball, physically strong, and tactically intelligent, he is widely viewed as one of Europe’s most promising young defenders.
Liverpool see him as a long-term solution—someone who can evolve into a defensive leader in the post-Van Dijk era.
A Statement Move From Liverpool
After missing out on Marc Guéhi to Manchester City earlier in the window, Liverpool’s decisive move for Jacquet signals intent. This is not just squad depth—it’s succession planning at elite level.
If developed correctly, Jacquet could become one of the smartest defensive investments Liverpool have made in years.
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