Manchester United attempted to hijack Liverpool’s £60m move for Jeremy Jacquet, though the audacious play has not succeeded, according to reports.
Jacquet was pursued by Bayern Munich, Chelsea and Liverpool in the winter window, with the race ultimately narrowing to a head-to-head between the Blues and Reds.
Liverpool made an aggressive push over the past 72 hours which resulted in getting the French centre-back’s green light.
Personal terms over a five-year deal with an option for a sixth season were agreed. Transfer guru Fabrizio Romano subsequently shed light on the real reasons Jacquet chose Anfield over Stamford Bridge.
Liverpool are paying Rennes £55m plus £5m in add-ons, which is a club record fee for the French outfit.
Jacquet travelled to England on deadline day to undergo a medical and finalise the move, but once sealed, he’ll return to France to see out the season with Rennes. It is in the summer when Jacquet will officially arrive and link up with his new teammates in Liverpool.
Yet according to a shock report from Sky Germany’s Florian Plettenberg, Liverpool faced another challenge to their move in the form of Man Utd.
Taking to X, Plettenberg declared the Red Devils launched a late and brazen hijack attempt, though did not succeed, with Jacquet’s mind already made up.
“Manchester United tried to hijack Jeremy Jacquet’s summer transfer to Liverpool in the last hours, but were unsuccessful,” wrote the reporter.
“Jacquet already had an agreement in place with Liverpool.”
Want more breaking transfer lines from original sources? Add TEAMtalk as a preferred source on Googleto your favourites list for news you can trust.
Latest Liverpool and Man Utd news – ANOTHER centre-back after Jacquet / United to shatter club record
In other news, Jacquet isn’t the only big-name centre-back Liverpool could sign in 2026, with Fabrizio Romano dropping a sizeable hint.
Elsewhere, a £35m transfer between Liverpool and a Premier League rival that looked dead and buried is now possible, according to the BBC.
Over at Old Trafford, Man Utd are turning their attention to what’s shaping up to be a monumental summer window and Sky Sports have confirmed a £100m-plus transfer is one of TWO huge moves planned.