Liverpool are on the verge of signing 20-year-old France youth international Jeremy Jacquet from Rennes, amid reports that Manchester United attempted to hijack the deal on transfer deadline day.
Manchester United have yet to sign any players in January, but the scouting network remains busy trying to identify players who will help bring success to Old Trafford.
Ever since Ineos took control of football operations at United, there has been more emphasis on recruiting young players. That has been evident with signings such as Ayden Heaven, Patrick Dorgu and Leny Yoro.
United will do most – if not all of their 2026 business – in the summer, unless there are any unexpected arrivals at Old Trafford in the coming hours.
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Michael Carrick will believe that his squad is good enough to secure Champions League qualification after winning his first three games since returning to the club as head coach, beating three teams positioned in the top half of the table.
The Red Devils are currently positioned fourth in the Premier League, though one or two additions could help Carrick cement United’s place in the top four.
Jeremy Jacquet against AS Monaco FC
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Man Utd did not try to hijack deals for Jeremy Jacquet
Liverpool have reached a verbal agreement for the transfer of Rennes centre-back Jeremy Jacquet.
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The 20-year-old is set to cost Liverpool £60 million, after seeing off competition from Chelsea for his signature.
A deal has been agreed to pay a fixed fee of £55 million plus a potential £5m in performance-related add-ons.
Jacquet had been monitored by United, but the biggest clubs all have a long list of targets or players they send scouts to pay close attention to.
However, Florian Plettenberg told Sky Sports that United tried to hijack Jacquet’s move to Liverpool.
Plettenberg said:”I have been told that Manchester United tried to hijack the deal for Jeremy Jacquet in the past 48 hours, but there was no chance because Jacquet was already in agreement with Liverpool.
“I have been told that Jeremy Jacquet was very open to joining FC Bayern, but they cannot negotiate because they are waiting on the decision from Dayot Upamecano.”
However, this wild claim has since been disputed by reliable transfer specialist Fabrizio Romano.
Romano told his YouTube audience: “Someone said, ‘Is there a chance also for the situation, in the case of Manchester United, maybe to hijack? Some rumours from France may United were also involved.’
“No, I’m not aware of Manchester United hijacking this deal for Jeremy Jac. So, Liverpool remain in absolute control. They’re very happy with the signing they did.”
Carrick doesn’t need an additional centre-back for the rest of the season, after Lisandro Martinez’s return from injury over the festive period. The newly appointed head coach has settled on Martinez and Harry Maguire at centre-back in recent weeks, too.
Maguire is under contract at United until the summer, but no decision has been made on whether he remains at the club.
United will likely sign a new centre-back if Maguire leaves, unless the next head coach believes Matthijs de Ligt can step up.
Other options at centre-back include Heaven and Yoro.
It could be argued that United should be prioritising the development of Jayden Ngwashi instead of spending £60m on another young prospect.
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Man Utd have invested in long-term defenders
Although Yoro has struggled with confidence this season, nobody at United is giving up hope that he will become a top defender.
United spent £52.2m to sign Yoro from Lille in 2024, and they also signed Heaven from Arsenal on deadline day a year ago.
These are two defenders who could go on to have long-term futures at United.
United were never going to spend £60m on a new centre-back this month.
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