Jermey Jacquet has previously discussed Liverpool defenders Virgil van Dijk and Ibrahima Konate as he nears a transfer to Anfield
Rennes defender Jeremy Jacquet
Liverpool are closing in on a move for Rennes defender Jeremy Jacquet(Image: Neal Simpson/Allstar/Getty Images)
View 3 Images
Rennes star Jeremy Jacquet has admitted he admires one player more than Liverpool centre-backs Virgil van Dijk and Ibrahima Konate. The defender has agreed a deal that would see him arrive at Anfield in the summer.
The transfer is set to be worth £55million plus another £5m in add-ons for the 20-year-old who has earned plenty of plaudits in Ligue 1. The Reds have faced competition for his signature, with Chelsea having held talks regarding a move in the January transfer window.
It is understood that Jacquet wants to stay with Rennes for the remainder of the season to help the French club clinch a European spot. He has previously shown appreciation for his potential future Liverpool teammates but his childhood idol has ties to the club's rivals Manchester United.
"As a defender, I really like (Virgil) Van Dijk, and more recently (Ibrahima) Konate," Jacquet told L’Equipe. "But my favourite player is (Paul) Pogba, since I played in midfield. I've always wanted to play like him."
FOLLOW OUR LIVERPOOL FC FACEBOOK PAGE!All the latest news and analysis from Anfield on the Liverpool Echo's dedicated LFC Facebook page
Should his move be finalised, Jacquet will have the opportunity to play alongside Van Dijk next season. Konate is nearing the end of his contract and is yet to agree to new terms.
Joe Gomez is dealing with fitness issues, while summer signing Giovanni Leoni is recovering from his ACL injury. The need for long-term defensive reinforcements is clear and Jacquet, who has started 18 of 20 league games for Rennes, emerged as a leading target.
Jeremy Jacquet of Rennes
Jacquet is nearing a £55m move to Liverpool(Image: Jean Catuffe/Getty Images)
View 3 Images
Until the deal is completed, Chelsea or another club could choose to make an increased bid for Jacquet and test the defender’s desire to join Liverpool. The transfer window deadline is 7pm GMT on Monday.
Liverpool’s injury issues at right-back also prompted the club’s interest in Lutsharel Geertruida. The versatile defender, able to play at right-back and centre-back, is on loan at Sunderland from RB Leipzig.
The Reds are without Conor Bradley for the rest of the season, while Jeremie Frimpong is sidelined with a groin injury alongside Gomez's fitness issues. Dominik Szoboszlai was once again forced to slot in at full-back during Liverpool’s win over Newcastle at the weekend.
Liverpool manager Arne Slot
Arne Slot has discussed Liverpool's plans for the end of the transfer window(Image: Dan Istitene/Getty Images)
View 3 Images
However, a deal for Geertruida now appears unlikely, with Sunderland not having enough defensive cover to agree to ending his loan. The 25-year-old previously played under Liverpool manager Arne Slot at Feyenoord.
The Reds boss has indicated that the club will not part with any senior players on deadline day. Slot recently played down speculation about his squad and hinted that Liverpool were primarily concerned with securing new signings.
Content Image
Content Image
"I think there’s always a lot of talk about Liverpool and Liverpool players," Slot said. "There was a lot of noise around the club the last week or should I say weeks, but today our fans showed what noise really means. That is being loud, they were so helpful today, that is what noise here is in Liverpool.
"We are trying to strengthen the squad and not trying to weaken it. But yeah, 48-72 hours to go, let us see where the window ends up."