Liverpool have moved to strengthen their long-term defensive options by finalising the signing of highly rated Rennes centre-back Jeremy Jacquet in a deal worth up to £60 million.
The Premier League champions confirmed that the 20-year-old defender has agreed to join the club on July 1, having completed his medical on Deadline Day. Jacquet will remain with Rennes for the rest of the current season before making the switch to Anfield in the summer.
Under the terms of the agreement, Liverpool will pay an initial £55 million, with a further £5 million tied to performance-related add-ons. The deal represents a significant investment in a player widely regarded as one of the brightest young defensive prospects in French football.
Liverpool’s move for Jacquet comes amid growing concerns over depth in central defence. Virgil van Dijk and Ibrahima Konate are currently the club’s only fully fit senior centre-backs, with Joe Gomez and Giovanni Leoni sidelined through injury. Uncertainty also surrounds Konate’s future, with his contract set to expire at the end of the season, raising the possibility of a free transfer departure in the summer.
Chelsea were also strongly interested in Jacquet and are understood to have tabled an identical offer. However, developments at Stamford Bridge — including Mamadou Sarr’s return and Josh Acheampong’s decision to stay — influenced the player’s decision to opt for Liverpool, where he is believed to see a clearer pathway to regular first-team football.
The signing follows Liverpool’s failed attempt to land Marc Guehi from Crystal Palace last summer, a deal that collapsed late in the window. Guehi eventually joined Manchester City in January for £20 million, six months before his contract expiry, a price Liverpool were unwilling to meet.
Despite his age, Jacquet has drawn widespread praise for his maturity and skill set. French football analyst Julien Laurens described him as “the real deal,” highlighting his composure, athleticism and rapid development under Rennes coach Habib Beye. While he has yet to feature in European competition or earn a senior France cap, his performances at club level have convinced Liverpool of his long-term potential.
Former Liverpool defender Jamie Carragher welcomed comparisons between Jacquet and Arsenal’s William Saliba but cautioned that the club may still require immediate reinforcements at the back. Similar sentiments were echoed by pundits Paul Merson and Kevin Hatchard, who questioned the decision to delay the move until summer given Liverpool’s current defensive shortage.
For Liverpool, the acquisition of Jacquet signals a clear focus on future stability at the heart of defence — even as questions remain about whether additional reinforcements will be needed before the season reaches its decisive stages.
