Liverpool and Chelsea are among the clubs keen to sign Jeremy Jacquet.
Liverpool are ‘in contact’ over a potential swoop for a defender - but only in the summer transfer window.
The Reds are short in the rearguard, with Jeremie Frimpong being forced off in the 6-0 Champions League victory over Qarabag earlier this week. Conor Bradley and Giovanni Leoni (both knee) will not play again this season, while Joe Gomez was absent against Qarabag because of a hip issue.
Plenty of supporters would like to see Liverpool sign a new defender before the winter transfer window closes on Monday. It is set to be a big summer in terms of recruitment in the backline, with Ibrahima Konate out of contract and set to leave on a free transfer while captain Virgil van Dijk and Gomez see their respective deals expire in 2027.
Liverpool are among the clubs who have Jeremy Jacquet on their radar. The 20-year-old has been a regular starter for Rennes this season in their pursuit for European qualification.
The French club are reluctant to allow Jacquet to leave this month despite Chelsea being keen. Bayern Munich have also been credited with an interest, but the France under-21s international is said to favour the Premier League over the Bundesliga.
Italian reporter Fabrizio Romano said on YouTube: “Liverpool are in contact with the agents of the player, respecting the fact that Rennes want to sell the player in the summer and not in the January window. Liverpool are in conversations and Liverpool want to try and it is an interesting case to follow.
“Bayern have called and met with the agents in recent weeks but only for the summer. The feeling, the tendency of this deal is the Premier League, with Chelsea and Liverpool both interested. Chelsea are prepared to go all in, Liverpool are going with a different strategy.”
Liverpool are unlikely to make a move for a defender on a permanent or a temporary basis this month. Speaking after the Qarabag triumph, head coach Slot said: “We as a club always make decisions that we, at least, think [are] smart decisions. So, we not only look at the short term, we also look at the long term, longer term – that's why we sign young players as well, very good players but young ones that can still develop. Now we can see this development with a few. And it always depends on are there players available that we think can help us? And if they are, can we afford them? And does this also be helpful for the longer-term future because our players come back from injury as well?
“I just said we don't have a squad where we have four right-backs and 12 midfielders and three or four No.9s – that's not how it works over here. So, we have to do the smart things for the near future but also for the longer future. Let's first see how Jeremie [Frimpong] is. Maybe he's not able to play Saturday but maybe he's able to play one or two days later. We now go into a schedule with one game a week, so that would usually mean less injuries but you're never sure.”
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