Liverpool alongside Chelsea and Bayern in race to sign this Ligue 1 star.
Liverpool is keeping a close eye on developments around Jeremy Jacquet, but the reality is that Chelsea remains the frontrunner in the three-way battle for the Rennes defender, with Bayern Munich also lurking in.
That is as per The Times. Right now, Liverpool need more CBs. Virgil van Dijk remains the leader of the back line, while Ibrahima Konate (contract up this summer – Transfermarkt) has grown into his role as the long-term partner when fit. Behind them, Joe Gomez continues to be trusted as a rotational option across multiple positions. Giovani Leoni continues to recover from his ACL injury.
Jacquet fits the profile Liverpool increasingly prioritise. At 20, standing 6’2”, he is physically imposing, right-footed, and comfortable operating on the right side of a central pairing. He has also played across a back three at Rennes, which speaks to his tactical adaptability.
Liverpool in a three-way race for Ligue 1 defender alongside Chelsea and Bayern.
Liverpool in a three-way race for Ligue 1 defender alongside Chelsea and Bayern.
Should Liverpool sign Jeremy Jacquet?
Rennes, however, hold the power. They are reportedly seeking a club-record fee in the region of €65m-70m, and their preference is clear: sell in the summer, not January. Romano has since noted that both Chelsea and Liverpool would like to get business done now, but Rennes are standing firm. That stance naturally favours patience, and Chelsea’s willingness to wait, combined with the player’s reported preference for Stamford Bridge, keeps them in pole position.
This is where the tension lies. The club have made a clear shift towards investing in young defensive talent, signing academy prospects like Ifeanyi Ndukwe, Mor Talla Ndiaye, and Noah Adekoya. But Jacquet is different. He would be an immediate first-team signing, not a long-term project hidden from view.
Since Konate’s arrival in 2021, Liverpool have not refreshed their centre-back core. That makes this summer pivotal.
https://twitter.com/FabrizioRomano/status/2016249488990454182
Chelsea may be leading the race, but if Liverpool genuinely believe Jacquet is part of the next defensive cycle, they cannot afford to sit idle and watch another high-upside centre-back strengthen a Premier League rival.