Liverpool are battling with some of their Premier League rivals over the signing of Rennes centre-back Jeremy Jacquet, according to journalist Pete O’Rourke.
Thankfully for the Reds, Virgil van Dijk and Ibrahima Konate remaining fit this season has aided their lack of depth at the heart of their defence.
An injury to either would be a massive setback, however, with Giovanni Leoni out for the rest of the campaign, and Joe Gomez never too far away from an absence.
Speaking to Football Insider, O’Rourke explained that Liverpool continue to battle to sign Jacquet from Rennes, but the likes of Chelsea, Arsenal and Manchester City are in the mix, too:
“Jacquet is a player who’s on the radar of a number of top clubs across Europe, earning a very big reputation at Rennes and in Ligue 1. He’s established himself as one of the best young defenders in France right now as well, but there’s going to be intense competition for his signature. You’ve got the likes of Chelsea, Arsenal, Man City, Real Madrid, all looking at Jacquet as well, so yeah, it’s not going to be a straightforward one for Liverpool.”
Jeremy Jacquet a no-brainer signing for Liverpool
There is so much to like about Jacquet, not least O’Rourke’s positive assessment of him, and Liverpool have already been linked with a move for him this month.
The 20-year-old is a player with huge potential, already making 28 appearances for Rennes and winning a total of 31 caps for France across five different age groups, and he will be hoping to become a fixture for Les Bleus at senior level over time.
Meanwhile, content creator and scout Antonio Mango has made it clear what he thinks of him as a player, saying: “Physicality, pace, athleticism and technical ability. True combination of unique elements. Whoever signs him is getting a monster.”
Liverpool should be considering Jacquet as a fantastic option to come in and be a great squad player from the off before maturing into a key man as time passes.
If the Reds can sign him and a more senior centre-back alongside him this summer – one in January and one at the end of the season could be more ideal – it will strengthen their defensive options significantly.