Image Credits: Imago Images
Liverpool defensive reinforcements have been a talking point all January. Injuries to Joe Gomez and Giovanni Leoni, combined with Ibrahima Konate’s contract standoff and Virgil van Dijk’s advancing years means it’s a position the club couldn’t afford to ignore much longer.
While the January window has offered few immediate answers, Richard Hughes has been working overtime behind the scenes for the future. Liverpool have agreed a deal worth up to £60 million to sign Rennes wonderkid Jeremy Jacquet, beating Chelsea to one of Europe’s most coveted young defenders. The 20-year-old French centre-back will complete his medical on Monday and will join the Reds in the summer after remaining at Rennes for the rest of the Ligue 1 season.
But here’s where it gets interesting: Chelsea were actually leading the race for Jacquet’s signature until the final hours. The Blues had matched Liverpool’s financial offer exactly and held extensive negotiations with both Rennes and the player’s representatives over the past fortnight. So what changed?
According to Matt Law of The Telegraph, Chelsea’s decision to recall Mamadou Sarr from his Strasbourg loan – combined with their choice to retain defender Josh Acheampong – directly contributed to Liverpool hijacking the deal. Jacquet reportedly grew concerned about his pathway to first-team football at Stamford Bridge and switched his preference to Liverpool.
Chelsea’s already overcrowded defensive roster featuring the likes of Trevoh Chalobah, Wesley Fofana, Tosin Adarabioyo, Benoit Badiashile, Axel Disasi, Aaron Anselmino, and Jorrel Hato, put off the Frenchman.
Meanwhile, reliable French newspaper RMC Sport has reported that Jacquet will sign a 5-year contract + 1 year option.
So Chelsea get reinforcements while losing their primary target—a paradox only Chelsea’s squad planning can achieve. Jacquet signs a five-year deal with Liverpool, and the Blues are left asking what went wrong. Everything, as it turns out.
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