Image Credits: Imago Images
Liverpool have beaten Chelsea to secure the signature of Rennes wonderkid Jeremy Jacquet in a deal worth up to £60 million. The 20-year-old French center-back has agreed personal terms with the Reds and will complete his medical on Monday before joining Liverpool in the summer transfer window.
The agreement includes a guaranteed £55 million fee with an additional £5 million in performance-related add-ons. Crucially, Jacquet will remain at Rennes for the remainder of the current Ligue 1 season before making the switch to Anfield in June 2026.
Chelsea had been in pole position to land the France Under-21 international, having held extensive talks with both Rennes and the player’s representatives over the past two weeks. However, Liverpool’s late intervention proved decisive. According to Sky Sports, Chelsea matched Liverpool’s financial offer, but the Blues’ decision to recall Mamadou Sarr from his Strasbourg loan and retain Josh Acheampong prompted Jacquet to change his mind.
But it seems that Chelsea were not the only ones looking to strike a deal
Florian Plettenberg of Sky Germany took to X last night to report that Manchester United attempted to hijack the deal in the last hours but were ultimately unsuccessful:
“Manchester United tried to hijack Jeremy Jacquet’s summer transfer to Liverpool in the last hours, but were unsuccessful. Jacquet already had an agreement in place with Liverpool.”
The Rennes academy graduate has made 18 appearances for the French club this season, playing every minute of Ligue 1 action until receiving a red card against Paris Saint-Germain in December. His impressive performances have attracted interest from Arsenal, Bayern Munich, and Real Madrid, but Liverpool have won the race.
🚨✋🏼 Excl | Manchester United tried to hijack Jeremy Jacquet’s summer transfer to Liverpool in the last hours, but were unsuccessful. Jacquet already had an agreement in place with Liverpool. #LFC #MUFC
— Florian Plettenberg (@Plettigoal) February 1, 2026
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