Liverpool have officially completed the signing of central defender Jeremy Jacquet from Rennes in a deal valued at £60m. The France Under-21 international has signed a five-year contract with an option for an additional year at Anfield. The agreement, which includes an initial payment of £55m and potential add-ons of up to £5m, was finalised on Wednesday, subject to international clearance.
The 20-year-old Jacquet had undergone a medical with the club on Deadline Day in February but remained with Rennes for the remainder of the 2025/26 season. His arrival aligns with Liverpool‘s strategy of acquiring emerging elite talent, with the average age of their recent first-team signings being under 22.
Jacquet expressed his excitement about joining Liverpool, stating, “I feel really good, the first impressions are good and I am very happy to start here. I am very happy. When I see the facilities, I can see myself there. I feel good here and I am very excited to get started. For me it’s a big dream, it’s a big club. A club like Liverpool, it’s a big dream for me.”
Despite suffering a shoulder injury shortly after the initial agreement in January, Jacquet has successfully completed a rehabilitation programme. He is currently engaged in individual fitness work and is expected to be available for the start of pre-season training under new head coach Andoni Iraola. Liverpool players are scheduled to return on 14 July before travelling to the US on 20 July for a pre-season tour.
Jacquet’s Role and Potential
Jacquet will join Virgil van Dijk, Geovanni Leoni, and Joe Gomez as central defensive options for Andoni Iraola. The signing of Jacquet also follows the departure of Ibrahima Konate, who left the club to join Real Madrid after his contract expired this summer. Leoni, whose first season at Anfield was impacted by an anterior cruciate ligament injury sustained on his debut, is also continuing his fitness and rehabilitation work and is expected to be involved in pre-season at some point.
The acquisition of Jacquet was a competitive one, with Chelsea reportedly offering the same deal as Liverpool, and Bayern Munich also showing interest. However, Jacquet ultimately chose to move to Anfield. This move highlights Liverpool‘s focus on identifying and recruiting promising young players.
French football expert Julien Laurens described Jacquet as “the real deal,” acknowledging his youth and lack of experience in Champions League or Europa League football. Laurens drew comparisons between Jacquet and players like William Saliba and Wesley Fofana when they first emerged, noting the significant investment in a young player with considerable potential.
European football expert Kevin Hatchard also commented on Jacquet, identifying him as a “rising star” who has captained various youth groups for France. Hatchard highlighted Jacquet’s attributes as a modern centre-back, including his proficiency on the ball, passing range, athleticism, and aerial ability. However, Hatchard also noted Jacquet’s limited record in top-level football, despite a successful loan spell at Clermont and his recent performances for Rennes.
Jacquet came through the Rennes academy, making 33 appearances for the French Ligue 1 side. His coach at Rennes, Habib Beye, previously indicated the club’s reluctance to let him go, suggesting that his departure would necessitate a downgrade in their seasonal objectives. This underscores the high regard in which Jacquet is held by his former club.
The completion of Jacquet’s transfer continues Liverpool‘s ongoing efforts to refresh and lower the average age of their first-team squad, with players returning for pre-season on 14 July.
Source: skysports.com