Liverpool have agreed to sign Jeremy Jacquet for a fee of £60 million.
A former member of Paris Saint-Germain’s recruitment team has explained why they turned down the chance to sign Jeremy Jacquet earlier in his career.
The centre-back will join Liverpool for a fee of up to £60 million at the end of the season. The Reds agreed the deal with Rennes on winter transfer deadline day but part of the terms where that he would remain at the French club until the summer.
Jacquet has made hurtling progress in the past year. The 20-year-old has been a regular starter for Rennes, having signed from RC Joinville when he was aged 14. At the time, PSG displayed an interest. However, the current Champions League holders instead opted to sign Sékou Doucouré, who is now at Nantes.
Speaking to Le Parisien, an ex-member of PSG’s youth department said: “PSG hesitated between him and Sékou Doucouré, whose profile was more in line with the club’s vision for the future. Jacquet had talent, but he seemed less technically ready.”
Khaled Gaarba was responsible for scouting Jacquet for Rennes. The defender was invited for a trial at a tournament but suffered a should injury ahead of playing for Rennes. But the Red and Blacks gave Jacquet another opportunity - and proved his quality.
Gaarba said: "When I first saw him in Joinville, there weren't many clubs interested in him. I asked to see his father, Dominique, who ran the club's refreshment stand. He was the spitting image of his son: tall, with long legs.
"He injured his shoulder before he even touched the ball. Jérémy was gutted, but we immediately reassured him by explaining that if he was there, it was because we believed in him. He came back for a training camp at the end of the season, this time at 100% fitness, and after developing further, that's when he won everyone over."
After signing for Liverpool, Jacquet sustained a shoulder injury in Rennes’ 3-1 loss to Ligue 1 leaders RC Lens. Habib Beye, who was axed as head coach days after the defeat, admitted that Jacquet’s issue was ‘serious’. The France under-21 international was absent for Rennes’ 3-1 win over PSG last weekend.
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