In a dramatic late twist to the January transfer window, Liverpool have secured a major coup by agreeing a deal worth £61 million for highly-rated Rennes defender Jeremy Jacquet, beating Premier League rivals Chelsea to his signature.
Fabrizio Romano Confirms Liverpool Agreement
Renowned transfer journalist Fabrizio Romano broke the news, confirming that Liverpool have reached a full agreement with Rennes for the 22-year-old centre-back. The deal is structured as an initial €60 million fee, with an additional €10 million in potential add-ons.
Romano stated on social media platform X: "Jeremy Jacquet to Liverpool, here we go! Deal agreed now for June 2026. Understand fee is €60m plus €10m add-ons to Rennes. Jeremy has agreed personal terms with LFC. Agreement done for summer 2026 for one of the most talented CBs in the world."
Chelsea's Missed Opportunity
Chelsea had been in advanced negotiations with Rennes for several weeks, keen to bolster their defensive options before the transfer deadline. According to reports from Sky Sports News, the Blues had even matched Liverpool's identical financial offer for the French defender.
However, Jacquet performed a significant U-turn, opting for a move to Anfield instead. This decision appears to have been influenced by Chelsea's defensive situation, with the return of Mamadou Sarr from loan and Josh Acheampong remaining at Stamford Bridge, potentially limiting first-team opportunities.
Jacquet's Rising Profile
The young defender has emerged as one of Europe's most promising talents this season. After making his professional debut for Rennes in January 2024 and spending last season on loan at Ligue 2 side Clermont Foot, Jacquet has established himself as a key player for his parent club.
This campaign, he has featured in 18 Ligue 1 matches for Rennes, starting in 90 percent of those games. His consistent performances have attracted attention from several top European clubs, with Bayern Munich also previously linked with a move.
Medical Scheduled and Summer Move
Jacquet is scheduled to undergo his medical with Liverpool on Tuesday, though the transfer will not be completed until summer 2026. This timing allows Rennes to retain their defensive stalwart for the remainder of the current season and the next full campaign.
For Liverpool, this represents a significant long-term investment in defensive reinforcement, while Chelsea must now explore alternative options before the transfer window closes if they wish to strengthen their back line.
The move to Anfield reportedly appealed to Jacquet due to a clearer pathway to regular first-team football, with Liverpool's defensive setup potentially offering more immediate opportunities than Chelsea's crowded roster of young defensive talents.
