Image Credits: Imago Images
The January transfer window has entered its final hours with clubs across Europe scrambling to finalize last-minute deals before the 7pm deadline. Liverpool are looking to complete the signing of Jeremy Jacquet with the Frenchman currently on Merseyside for his medical.
However, the 20-year-old will only join at the end of the season and is set to complete the campaign at Rennes.
Meanwhile, Liverpool have quietly completed a piece of deadline day business that could provide Arne Slot with valuable midfield depth for the run-in. James McConnell has officially returned to Anfield after his loan spell at Ajax was terminated by mutual agreement, bringing an abrupt end to what was meant to be a season-long development opportunity in the Eredivisie.
The 21-year-old defensive midfielder arrived back at the AXA Training Centre following confirmation from both clubs that the temporary arrangement had been formally ended, with Ajax announcing that “the administrative handling of this has been completed” despite McConnell not featuring for the Dutch giants since early January.
McConnell made 7 appearances for Ajax during his loan spell, and after manager John Heitinga departed the club in November, McConnell found it difficult to get any minutes under interim boss Fred Grimm.
His Liverpool career, while limited to 13 senior appearances to date, has shown flashes of genuine promise. He made his senior debut in a 5-1 Europa League victory over Toulouse in October 2023, followed by his Premier League bow against Brentford the following month. His full debut came in an FA Cup fourth-round thrashing of Norwich City in January 2024, where he registered an assist for Curtis Jones, and he was part of the squad that lifted the EFL Cup at Wembley just weeks later.
The club’s faith in the youngster was underlined when he signed a new five-year contract at Anfield before departing for Ajax, a deal that ties him to Liverpool until 2030. That long-term commitment suggests the coaching staff see McConnell as a genuine part of the club’s future plans, despite the setback of his unsuccessful Dutch adventure.
Want to get the latest Liverpool news direct to your phone? Join our WhatsApp community by clicking here.