Liverpool have moved decisively in the transfer market, reportedly outpacing Chelsea to secure a £60 million agreement for Rennes defender Jeremy Jacquet. The 20-year-old is set to become a long-term addition at Anfield, with the deal expected to be finalised ahead of the summer window.
The Reds have agreed a package worth £55 million as a guaranteed fee, with a further £5 million tied to performance-related add-ons. While personal terms are still to be completed, they are not expected to delay the move, with Jacquet already viewed as part of Liverpool’s plans for the 2026-27 campaign.
Chelsea had been heavily involved in the race for the France Under-21 international and were considered frontrunners at one stage. Talks were held with the player’s camp, but Liverpool’s clearer pathway to first-team football ultimately proved decisive, with Chelsea unwilling to push beyond the structure of the Reds’ offer.
Jacquet’s rise has been one of the standout defensive stories in Ligue 1 this season. A Rennes academy graduate, he has made 18 league appearances, combining physical authority with composure in possession. His consistency has attracted interest across Europe, but Liverpool moved fastest to turn admiration into agreement.
The context behind the transfer explains Liverpool’s urgency. Defensive depth has become a growing concern, with Joe Gomez and Giovanni Leoni currently sidelined by injury. Ibrahima Konate is approaching the final stages of his contract, while Virgil van Dijk will turn 35 in July. Reinforcements at centre-back have become a priority rather than a luxury.
Chelsea’s situation, by contrast, is one of congestion. Their squad already includes Trevoh Chalobah, Wesley Fofana, Tosin Adarabioyo, Benoit Badiashile, Axel Disasi, Aaron Anselmino and Jorrel Hato, with Levi Colwill expected back from injury and Mamadou Sarr returning from loan. That depth reduced the likelihood of immediate opportunities for Jacquet.
Liverpool had previously explored a move for Marc Guehi as his Crystal Palace contract wound down, but Manchester City’s intervention in January forced a change of direction. Jacquet quickly emerged as the preferred alternative, combining elite potential with the ability to grow into a starting role.
On the pitch, Jacquet has impressed with his reading of the game, recovery speed and confidence under pressure. Observers in France have likened his development path to defenders such as William Saliba and Wesley Fofana, highlighting both his ceiling and the calculated risk involved in investing heavily at such a young age.
The coming months will determine how quickly the move is completed, but Liverpool are optimistic of finalising everything before preseason preparations begin. With Champions League qualification still in play and defensive succession planning underway, Jacquet’s arrival could prove pivotal.
For Liverpool, this is a statement of intent. The club are betting on potential, timing and opportunity, and if Jacquet adapts as expected, Anfield may have secured a cornerstone defender for the next era.
