We all realise the glaring need for defensive additions at Liverpool despite last summer’s mammoth spend.
There is so much uncertainty around Liverpool’s back line.
Ibrahima Konate hasn’t signed a contract, Joe Gomez was almost out the door last summer and will more than likely be subject to interest again in June, and Andy Robertson could still join Spurs in January.
mail iconJoin our newsletter for news & smart analysis.
Is Liverpool letting Andy Robertson join Tottenham a mistake? Who could replace the left-back?
Andrew Robertson of Liverpool during the Premier League match between Burnley and Liverpool at Turf Moor
Credit: James Gill/Danehouse/Getty Images
👇 Join the debate; share your insight. Use the comment button on the bottom left to have your say
Especially at the heart of the defence, we don’t know who is going to be there next season. That’s why the Reds need to get the finger out and make a bid for Jeremy Jacquet before he’s snapped up by another top club.
Jeremy Jacquet is gettable with a £50 million price tag mooted
One of the best defensive prospects around is destined to move in the near future, and Liverpool need to step up their pursuit.
Chelsea and Bayern want Jacquet too. Fabrizio Romano explained as much on Sunday, predicting a tense three-horse race between three of the biggest clubs in Europe.
Rennes ideally want to keep Jacquet until the end of the season, and that’s where Liverpool can possibly steal a march on their transfer rivals. Chelsea, anyway, wanted to make a January move, which has caused negotiations to stall.
Jeremy Jacquet of Rennes during the Ligue 1 McDonald's football match between Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) and Stade Rennais (Rennes, SRFC) at Parc des Princes stadium
Photo by Jean Catuffe/Getty Images
MORE LIVERPOOL STORIES
Ever since deciding not to rival Man City for Marc Guehi, it’s been pretty clear that Liverpool aren’t going to push for a centre-back signing this month. That doesn’t mean they can’t seal their first signing of the summer this week.
L’Equipe report that Chelsea tabled a £43 million bid that was quickly turned down by the Ligue 1 side. They go on to say that a slightly larger fee could convince Rennes.
If Liverpool were to come in at £50 million (excluding bonuses), while also agreeing to wait until the summer to get their man, it could pull the rug out from under Chelsea’s plans and bring a player to Anfield who’s touted to be at the top of the game for the next decade at least.
How Liverpool should rebuild at centre-back
£50 million is no pocket change, but it’s the going rate for a talent like Jacquet.
He, along with Giovanni Leoni, can bolster Liverpool’s defensive ranks and develop under the guidance of an all-time great like Virgil van Dijk, sharing minutes when rotation is needed.
Konate’s situation is up in the air. If he stays, that’s a four-man centre-back roster worthy of a Premier League contender. If he goes, Liverpool need to sign a more experienced centre-back as first choice alongside Van Dijk.
Who should be Liverpool’s top centre-back target after missing out on Marc Guehi?
Micky van de Ven pictured during Tottenham Hotspurs' Premier League match against Crystal Palace at Selhurst Park (Credit: Getty Images/Sebastian Frej).
Alessandro Bastoni warms up ahead of the Serie A match between Inter Milan and Torino at San Siro Stadium (Credit: Getty Images/Marco Luzzani).
Photo Credit: Getty Images/Sebastian Frej/Marco Luzzani
👇 Join the debate; share your insight. Use the comment button on the bottom left to have your say
Regrettably, Gomez should go in the summer.
Neither Jacquet nor Leoni can be guaranteed to reach the level required of a starter straight away, but there will be plenty of opportunities across four competitions.
Then, by the time Van Dijk is coming to the end of his time at Anfield, one or both of them should be ready to take his place.
Join Our Newsletter
Receive a digest of our best Liverpool content each week direct to your mailbox