Liverpool have reportedly agreed a deal under the noses of Chelsea in a transfer deadline day coup after seeing off late interest from Manchester United
Patrick Austen-Hardy Senior Sports Journalist and Neil Docking
06:35, 02 Feb 2026Updated 06:42, 02 Feb 2026
Liverpool manager Arne Slot has transfers on his mind
View 5 Images
Liverpool manager Arne Slot has transfers on his mind
Liverpool are reportedly on the brink of securing Rennes defender Jeremy Jacquet in a blockbuster £60m deal.
The 19-year-old French star had been strongly tipped for a switch to Chelsea this month. Liam Rosenior's Blues had already hammered out personal terms with the teenage sensation, who is regarded as one of the world's most exciting defensive prospects.
But Chelsea hit a stumbling block in negotiations with Rennes, as they wanted Jacquet to arrive at Stamford Bridge straight away, while the French club insisted on keeping him until the summer. Arne Slot's Liverpool have capitalised on this deadlock and have now apparently beaten Chelsea to Jacquet's signature.
Both Chelsea and Liverpool had been linked with Jeremy Jacquet
View 5 Images
Both Chelsea and Liverpool had been linked with Jeremy Jacquet(Image: Getty Images)
JOIN US ON FB! Get all the best sports news and much more on our Facebook page
Transfer guru Fabrizio Romano reports the Reds have struck a deal worth approximately €70m (£60m) with additional clauses. And according to Sky Germany's Florian Plettenberg, United "tried to hijack" Jacquet’s summer move, but were unsuccessful as he already had a deal in place with their bitter rivals.
The catch for Liverpool is that the Frenchman won't rock up at Anfield until the summer rather than this January. This transfer represents a massive victory for the Merseyside club, though it won't solve their current defensive injury woes.
They're desperately short of options at the back due to knocks picked up by right-back Conor Bradley and summer recruit Geovanni Leoni. Jeremie Frimpong also sustained an injury during the 6-0 thrashing of Qarabag in the Champions League, reports the Mirror.
Arne Slot has a big signing to celebrate for Liverpool
View 5 Images
Arne Slot has a big signing to celebrate for Liverpool(Image: Kieran McManus/Shutterstock)
On Sunday, they appeared to have secured a temporary deal for Lutsharel Geertruida of Sunderland for the remainder of the campaign. Regrettably for them, a transfer for the adaptable defender seems to have fallen through at the last moment.
Whilst he's stationed at the Stadium of Light, Geertruida is merely on loan from RB Leipzig, meaning the Reds required approval from both Regis Le Bris' outfit and the German giants. The Black Cats will only give their consent to the switch if they can bring in a replacement for the 25-year-old, according to sources.
The Dutchman's next appearance is anticipated to be at the Stadium of Light when his team welcome relegation-threatened Burnley on Monday night. Should the Reds fail to bring in another centre-back before the campaign concludes, their limited squad will have to make do.
Jeremy Jacquet celebrates
View 5 Images
Chelsea have been linked with Jeremy Jacquet(Image: Ramsey Cardy - Sportsfile, UEFA via Getty Images)
With Bradley and Leoni sidelined for the remainder of the season, Liverpool academy graduate Calvin Ramsey remains the Reds' sole available, natural right-back. Midfield duo Wataru Endo and Dominik Szoboszlai have alternated in covering the full-back positions during the season.
In central defence, Virgil van Dijk, Ibrahima Konate and Joe Gomez represent the only choices, whilst the Reds still possess Milos Kerkez and Andy Robertson at left-back. The Reds splashed £450m during the summer window, but might still be ruing their inability to land former Crystal Palace centre-half Marc Guehi.
Lutsharel Geertruida has been linked with a move to Liverpool
View 5 Images
Lutsharel Geertruida has been linked with a move to Liverpool(Image: Getty Images)
The England international witnessed a transfer to Anfield fall through at the last moment of the summer window, despite everything appearing to be finalised. He departed Selhurst Park this month, but secured a switch to Manchester City in a £30m deal.
Earlier this month, Slot indicated he didn't anticipate any transfer business following the club's remarkable summer spending spree. However, following the commanding 4-1 home triumph over Newcastle United, he seemed to alter his stance.
Article continues below
He said: "I think we are trying to strengthen the squad and not trying to weaken it. But yeah, 48 hours to go. Let's see where the window ends up."