**Liverpool have completed the signing of Rennes defender Jeremy Jacquet.**
Jacquet will remain with the Ligue 1 outfit for the remainder of the campaign as they remain in the hunt for a Champions League qualfication place.
The 20-year-old officially arrives at Anfield on July 1 in a deal worth an initial £55 million which could rise to £60M subject to performance-related bonuses.
Arne Slot’s side snared Premier League rivals Chelsea, who were previously in the box seat for the highly rated centre-back prior to Monday’s deadline.
Jacquet, who signed a five-year contract, has emerged as one of Europe’s most promising talents and also become a France under-21 international.
He was named in the 2024 European U19 Championship’s Team of the Tournament after helping his country reach the final that summer.
Rennes head coach Habib Beye spoke about Jacquet’s impending move to Merseyside earlier on Monday despite refusing to name the Reds directly.
He 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.“