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Liverpool are close to signing Rennes defender Jeremy Jacquet, who has already undergone a medical ahead of a potential £60m move to Anfield. The 20-year-old, however, will not join until the summer.
The deal includes a £55m fee plus £5m in add-ons. Jacquet, a France Under-21 international, is set to sign a five-and-a-half-year contract until 2031, with an option for an additional year.
Chelsea were also linked with Jacquet during the winter window but are understood to have stepped aside, unable to match Liverpool’s offer. The Reds are looking to strengthen their centre-back options, particularly with Ibrahima Konate’s contract expiring at the end of the season.
Jacquet has impressed with a series of standout performances, marking him as a long-term target for Liverpool after missing out on Marc Guehi last summer. He has started every Ligue 1 match he has been available for this season, playing every minute until receiving a red card against Paris Saint-Germain on December 6.
He had also been a long-term target for Arsenal following an impressive loan spell with Ligue 2 side Clermont Foot and strong performances in Ligue 1 after breaking into Rennes’ first team in the second half of last season.
Arsenal reportedly considered signing him before ultimately completing a deal for Cristhian Mosquera from Valencia last summer. A product of Rennes’ youth academy, Jacquet has represented France at every level up to the under-21s.
Rennes boss Habib Beye has commented on Liverpool’s £60m move for Jeremy Jacquet. 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.
“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 who were maybe worth €3m between them six months ago.”
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