Liverpool have officially completed the signing of centre-back Jeremy Jacquet from Rennes in a deal valued at £60m. The France Under-21 international has signed a five-year contract at Anfield, with an option for an additional year. The transfer was finalised after an agreement was reached in January, with Jacquet remaining in France for the remainder of the 2025/26 season.
The initial fee for the defender is £55m, with a potential £5m in performance-related add-ons. Jacquet successfully passed his medical with the club on Deadline Day in February. His arrival is part of Liverpool’s strategy to recruit emerging talent and lower the average age of their first-team squad, with the average age of recent first-team signings being lower than 22.
Jacquet expressed his enthusiasm 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.”
Jacquet’s Journey to Anfield
The move to Anfield saw Liverpool reportedly beat out competition from other major European clubs, including Chelsea and Bayern Munich. Chelsea had reportedly offered the same deal as Liverpool, but Jacquet ultimately chose to move to Anfield. His acquisition aligns with Liverpool’s focus on identifying and securing elite young players.
Despite suffering a shoulder injury earlier this year, Jacquet has completed a rehabilitation programme and is currently undertaking individual fitness work. He is expected to be available for the start of pre-season training under head coach Andoni Iraola. This timely return is significant for Liverpool, especially given that fellow centre-back Giovanni Leoni was sidelined by a cruciate ligament injury sustained on his debut against Southampton in September.
Jacquet’s injury had occurred within days of Liverpool’s agreement being announced in January. His successful recovery means he is anticipated to be fit for Iraola’s first pre-season as Liverpool head coach.
Defensive Reinforcement and Squad Impact
Jacquet will join Liverpool’s first-team squad as one of their centre-backs, alongside established players such as Virgil van Dijk, Geovanni Leoni, and Joe Gomez. His arrival provides a replacement for Ibrahima Konate, who left on a free transfer after his contract expired and subsequently joined Real Madrid. This addition brings Liverpool’s centre-back options to four for the upcoming season.
French football expert Julien Laurens described Jacquet as “the real deal,” drawing comparisons to players like William Saliba and Wesley Fofana when they first emerged. Laurens noted Jacquet’s impressive performance last season after being recalled from a loan spell in the second division, and his continued form with Habib Beye. He highlighted the significant value placed on Jacquet’s potential despite his young age and lack of experience in Champions League or Europa League football.
European football expert Kevin Hatchard also commented on Jacquet, identifying him as a “rising star” who has captained various France youth teams. Hatchard praised Jacquet’s attributes as a modern centre-back, including his ball-playing ability, passing range, athleticism, and aerial prowess. However, Hatchard also noted that Jacquet does not have an extensive record in top-level football, having had a successful loan at Clermont and playing for Rennes this season. His coach, Habib Beye, reportedly stated that letting Jacquet go would necessitate downgrading the club’s goals for the season, underscoring his importance to Rennes.
Liverpool have also made another signing this summer, bringing in Spain winger Victor Munoz for £34m, and reportedly offered an £86m package for Yan Diomande from RB Leipzig.
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Source: skysports.com
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Charlie Bradshaw is the Senior Football Correspondent at News-GB, covering the Premier League, the EFL and the England national side with ten years of reporting experience. He covered Merseyside football before going national. He holds a degree in Sports Journalism from Liverpool John Moores University and completed an NCTJ diploma. Based in Liverpool, he watches non-league sides and collects old match programmes. “The back page is only ever half the story.”