Liverpool boss Arne Slot (Picture: YouTube)
Arne Slot has told Chelsea they missed out on ‘such a big talent’ after Liverpool won the transfer race for Jeremy Jacquet.
Chelsea appeared to be at the front of the queue in the battle to sign Jacquet, a 20-year-old French centre-back who is seen as one of the most promising young players in the world.
New Stamford Bridge boss Liam Rosenior was believed to be keen to welcome Jacquet to Chelsea, with his bosses indicating they were willing to spend almost £50m to secure a deal.
But Liverpool swooped in and hijacked the deal towards the end of the January transfer window, signing Jacquet from Ligue 1 side Rennes for £60m.
As part of the deal, it was agreed that Jacquet would spend the rest of the season in France before moving to Anfield in the summer.
‘The Reds have secured a deal for the 20-year-old that will see him complete the remainder of the current campaign in Ligue 1 and move to Anfield in the summer on a long-term contract,’ Liverpool said in a statement.
‘Jacquet, who has five caps for France U21s, has made 18 appearances for Rennes in his country’s top flight so far this season.
Get your football fix
Don't want to miss the week's biggest football stories? Metro's exclusive football newsletter, In The Mixer, is your essential guide.
From the latest transfer rumours and managerial moves to analysis of the biggest games and a lot more, our experts have you covered.
Sign up here, it's an open goal.
Olympique de Marseille v Stade Rennais - French Cup 2025/2026
Ex-Chelsea target Jeremy Jacquet joined Liverpool (Picture: Getty)
‘Overall, the centre-back has figured on 31 occasions for Rennes since making his debut in January 2024. He also gained Ligue 1 experience during a loan spell with Clermont Foot.
‘In 2024, Jacquet helped France to the final of the U19 European Championship, during which he was named in the Team of the Tournament.’
Liverpool boss Slot discussed the Jacquet signing for the first time at his pre-Manchester City press conference on Thursday morning.
‘Very pleasing of course,’ the Anfield manager said. ‘First of all he’s a very big talent and maybe even more than talent but we of course speak about talent because of his age.
‘Secondly, because we weren’t the only one interested in him so it’s a big compliment to the people working really hard to sign players.
‘Such a big talent and another example of the model we’re using at this club – young, very talented players sometimes at the start of their careers or sometimes already a little bit a few years into their career.
Arsenal v Chelsea - Carabao Cup Semi Final Second Leg
Chelsea were in talks to sign Jacquet from Rennes (Picture: Getty)
‘But always they are players that are young and can improve us and help us in the short-term but also definitely in the long-term.
‘We’ve signed a lot of them recently and like I’ve said many times in the mid-long term future of this club, and even the short term, is in a very good place.’
Jacquet will soon bolster a Liverpool defence that has struggled this season, conceding 33 goals in the Premier League.
Discussing Liverpool’s deadline-day signing, French football expert Julian Laurens said: ‘It’s a lot of money but Jacquet has everything to become one of the best centre-backs in the world in the next few years.
‘He is arguably the best centre-back of his generation. He’s quite tall, quick and strong – and he’s a machine when it comes to duels in the air and on the ground. He reads the game well and is good on the ball.
‘He’s not a proper ball-playing centre-back yet. Technically, there is a lot to improve on, but he’s a smart kid and he can get there and become like a Virgil van Dijk.’
Reigning champions Liverpool are sixth in the Premier League, two points outside the top-four, ahead of Sunday’s home match against Man City.
‘We know the importance of a result on Sunday but that goes for all teams in the Premier League this weekend – it’s the end phase of the season so results matter more and more,’ added Slot.
‘They’re a very good team that even beat the team we beat last weekend without their starters so that tells you, combined with the game against them, what a force City still is and always will be.’
For more stories like this, check our sport page.
Follow Metro Sport for the latest news on Facebook,Twitter and Instagram.
MORE: Napoli chief admits worry over Scott McTominay future at the club
MORE: Pep Guardiola makes Arsenal claim after Manchester City’s Carabao Cup semi-final win over Newcastle United
MORE: ‘Not working’ – Chelsea warned that £30m star looks ‘lost’ under Liam Rosenior
Football Newsletter – In The Mixer
Punchy analysis, transfer talk and more from Metro's football experts, sent straight to your inbox every week.