Jeremy Jacquet is closing in on a deadline day move to Liverpool after the Reds beat Chelsea and Manchester United to the Rennes defender in an initial £55m deal
Jeremy Jacquet during the Ligue 1 match between Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) and Stade Rennais (Rennes, SRFC) at Parc des Princes stadium.
Jeremy Jacquet is closing in on a transfer to Liverpool(Image: Jean Catuffe, Getty Images)
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Liverpool transfer target Jeremy Jacquet has demonstrated the mentality that Anfield chiefs will be acquiring should they seal a deadline-day swoop for the defender. The Rennes star is edging closer to a late switch to Merseyside, with the Reds aiming to finalise a deal before the 7pm cut-off point before sending him back to the French top-flight outfit on loan for the rest of the campaign.
The club have fended off interest from rivals including Chelsea and Manchester United and struck an initial £55million agreement with Rennes plus £5million in performance-related bonuses. Jacquet is understood to have been won over by the vision presented by Liverpool, with reports suggesting that he believes he will secure more opportunities at Anfield.
If accurate, this wouldn't be the first occasion in his fledgling career that Jacquet has made playing time his priority. The youngster stepped down a division to join Ligue 2 outfit Clemert on loan in January 2024.
Speaking to L'Equipe, via Ligue 1 last year, Jacquet discussed that choice. "It was either stay at Rennes with little playing time or go and discover something new," he said.
"I chose minutes on the pitch - and it paid off."
He was brought back in February last year, having racked up 24 appearances for the club. The 20-year-old has subsequently cemented himself as a first-team regular at Rennes, ahead of his anticipated deadline day transfer to Liverpool.
"When you're young, the most important thing is to play," he added regarding his loan decision. "That came from me and my family. I didn't hesitate.
"It shows I'm confident in myself and ready to make sacrifices to reach my goals."
Jeremy Jacquet during the UEFA Under21 EURO qualifier match between Switzerland and France.
Liverpool are closing in on a deadline day transfer for Jeremy Jacquet(Image: Daniela Porcelli, Getty Images)
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He attributes his success so far to the values instilled in him by his family. "I inherited respect and humility from them," he said.
"With that, it's impossible for me to act like someone who doesn't want to work."
Jacquet has also given Liverpool fans a taste of what they can expect from him on the pitch. "I'm calm on the ball, maybe I can look a bit nonchalant - but I'm focused," he explained.
"What defines me is playing out well, breaking lines with the right pass."
He further added: "The coach asks me to communicate more, to lead, to add a bit more aggression. I'm working on finding the right balance."
If the transfer goes through, it will bolster Arne Slot's defensive choices for the latter half of the season. Currently, Ibrahima Konate and Virgil van Dijk are the only fit first team centre-backs available.
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