Jeremy Jacquet has emerged as a potential target for Liverpoolplaceholder image
Jeremy Jacquet has emerged as a potential target for Liverpool | AFP via Getty Images
Liverpool are expected to be in the market for defensive reinforcements after a challenging first half of the season
Premier League champions Liverpool are reportedly weighing up a move for a promising 20-year-old French defender that’s tipped to become a ‘world-class operator’ in the near future.
The Reds have had a challenging first half of the season despite spending a staggering £450m on new recruits over the summer, with one of their biggest problems laying in the heart of defence where neither Vigil van Dijk or Ibrahima Konate have performed to the levels that they reached last season.
Liverpool wanted to sign a defender in the summer after allowing Jarell Quansah to join German heavyweights Bayer Leverkusen. They had an offer in the region of £35m accepted for Crystal Palace defender Marc Guehi, but were unable to get that deal over the line after Eagles chairman Steve Parish pulled the plug on the deal.
The champions did sign Giovanni Leoni from Italian side Parma after a promising breakout campaign in Serie A but are unlikely to see the 18-year-old feature again this campaign after a season-ending ACL injury. Joe Gomez is currently the only backup option on the books, but he’s often been asked to play right-back amid concerns in that position.
Gomez picked up a muscle injury last time out against Brighton and is set for a period on the sidelines, meaning Liverpool only have two central defensive options for the foreseeable, with one of those being Konate, who is set to become a free agent in the summer unless he agrees a new deal in the near future.
Liverpool plot bold swoop for Jeremy Jacquet
According to Caught Offside, Liverpool scouts have been keeping tabs on promising Ligue 1 defender Jeremy Jacquet as they weigh up the possibility of making a January move.
The report states: “Sources close to Rennes claim Liverpool scouts were in attendance for multiple Ligue 1 fixtures, convinced the youngster could develop into a world-class operator under Slot’s guidance.”
The 20-year-old has played 27 times for Rennais since breaking into the first team in 2024 and is currently regarded as one of the brightest young talents in French football. He’s an established France Under-21 international and has also been lauded for his performances at Under-19 level, making the team of the tournament at UEFA European Under-19 Championship in 2024 while also reaching the final of that particular competition.
Jacquet has started 15 of his side’s 16 league matches this season. The only game he missed was the last one against Stade Brest due to suspension following his red card in a 5-0 defeat to Paris Saint-Germain.
Despite this sending off, Jacquet has impressed in the majority of matches this term and has left analysts around the world impressed with his composure and leadership which is well beyond most defenders of his age group. He’s regarded as someone that could blossom into a world-class operator for years to come and crucially offer Liverpool some squad depth in the short-term.
Who else is on Liverpool’s radar in January
Liverpool haven’t completely given up on signing Guehi despite their summer setback. Reports claim Slot views Guehi as a ready-made successor to Van Dijk and the calibre of player that could provide his side with an immediate boost to challenge for honours this season.
Another name being watched closely by Liverpool’s recruitment team is reportedly Nico Schlotterbeck. The former Champions League finalist is right at the peak of his career, aged 26, and has been lauded for producing consistently high performances for Borussia Dortmund in the German Bundesliga.
He faces an uncertain future at Dortmund due to complications over agreeing a new deal and if these talks continue to stall Liverpool could look to capitalise on this situation.
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