Jermey Jacquet has previously shared his thoughts on Liverpool defenders Virgil van Dijk and Ibrahima Konate
Jeremy Jacquet of Rennes
Liverpool are closing in on a move for Rennes defender Jeremy Jacquet(Image: Jean Catuffe/Getty Images)
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Rennes star Jeremy Jacquet has confessed he looks up to one player more than Liverpool duo Virgil van Dijk and Ibrahima Konate. The defender has agreed a deal to join the Reds in the summer.
The move is expected to cost up to £60million for the 20-year-old, who has garnered widespread praise in Ligue 1. Liverpool have battled rivals for his services, with Chelsea having held discussions about a January switch.
The Liverpool ECHO reports that Jacquet wishes to remain at Rennes until the end of the season to help the French outfit secure European qualification. He has previously expressed admiration for his future Liverpool colleagues, though his boyhood hero has connections to the club's arch-rivals Manchester United.
In an interview with L'Equipe, Jacquet said: "As a defender, I really like (Virgil) Van Dijk, and more recently (Ibrahima) Konate," but added: "But my favourite player is (Paul) Pogba, since I played in midfield. I've always wanted to play like him."
Should the transfer go through, Jacquet will get the chance to feature alongside Van Dijk next term. Konate is approaching the expiry of his deal and has yet to commit to fresh terms.
Joe Gomez is battling fitness concerns, while summer acquisition Giovanni Leoni is recovering from his ACL injury. The demand for defensive signings is evident and Jacquet, who has featured in 18 of 20 league matches for Rennes, has become a primary target.
Before the deal is completed Chelsea or another side could opt to submit an improved offer for Jacquet and test the defender's commitment to joining Liverpool. The transfer window closes at 7pm GMT on Monday.
Liverpool's injury problems at right-back also sparked the club's pursuit of Lutsharel Geertruida. The defender, capable of operating at right-back and centre-back, is currently on loan at Sunderland from RB Leipzig.
Former Manchester United midfielder Paul Pogba
Jeremy Jacquet says his favourite player is former Manchester United midfielder Paul Pogba(Image: Martin Rickett/PA Wire)
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The Reds are missing Conor Bradley for the remainder of the campaign, while Jeremie Frimpong is out with a groin problem alongside Gomez's fitness concerns. Dominik Szoboszlai was forced to fill in at full-back during Liverpool's victory over Newcastle at the weekend.
However, a move for Geertruida now seems unlikely, with Sunderland lacking sufficient defensive options to agree to ending his loan. The 25-year-old previously worked under Liverpool boss Arne Slot at Feyenoord.
The Reds manager has suggested that the club will not sell any senior players on deadline day. Slot recently dismissed speculation regarding his squad and implied that Liverpool were focused on new recruits.
Liverpool manager Arne Slot
Arne Slot has discussed Liverpool's plans for the end of the transfer window(Image: Dan Istitene/Getty Images)
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"I think there's always a lot of talk about Liverpool and Liverpool players," Slot said. "There was a lot of noise around the club the last week or should I say weeks, but today our fans showed what noise really means. That is being loud, they were so helpful today, that is what noise here is in Liverpool.
"We are trying to strengthen the squad and not trying to weaken it. But yeah, 48-72 hours to go, let us see where the window ends up."
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