Rennes boss Habib Beye has his say as Liverpool close in on a £60m deal for Jeremy Jacquet
Jeremy Jacquet will join Liverpool in the summer
Jeremy Jacquet will join Liverpool in the summer(Image: Getty Images)
View Image
Rennes boss Habib Beye has conceded Jeremy Jacquet's impending £60m move to Liverpool is "the best deal we could have hoped for".
And the former Newcastle defender has admitted the Ligue 1 side are simply unable to turn down the sort of fees on offer for their best players as the Reds look to strike a deal for Jacquet to join next season.
Liverpool look to have fended off interest from Chelsea to land the 20-year-old defender, who was in the North West on Monday to complete a medical and the formalities of a switch that will see him move to Anfield in time for the 26/27 campaign.
Jacquet was believed to have been keen to see out the season with Rennes as they push for a European finish in Ligue 1 and speaking before their Coupe de France game with Marseille, Beye admitted the French club were effectively powerless to stop the sale.
“It's the best deal we could hope for," Beye said. "We negotiated the transfer, obtained the amount that the club looked for, we respected the player’s wish and we have him for the remainder of the season," Beye confirmed. "It’s the reality of the market. The club he joins will offer him Champions League football and what is currently the best league in the world. We simply don’t have the means to fight."We have to see it as a privilege. Rennes could make €100m of profit on two players (Jacquet and Kader Meite, who has joined Al Hilal) who were maybe worth €3m between them six months ago."
Liverpool return to action on Sunday when the champions host Manchester City at Anfield.