Liverpool have officially completed the transfer of Jérémy Jacquet from Rennes. The defender has signed a five-year contract at Anfield, with an option for an additional year. The deal for the France Under-21 international is valued at £60m, comprising an initial payment of £55m and a potential £5m in performance-related add-ons.
The agreement for Jacquet was initially reached in January, with the player remaining at Rennes for the remainder of the 2025/26 season. He underwent a medical on Deadline Day in February. Liverpool secured his signature despite competition from other prominent European clubs, including Chelsea and Bayern Munich, with Chelsea reportedly offering an identical deal.
Jacquet’s recovery and integration into the squad
Jacquet sustained a serious shoulder injury shortly after Liverpool’s initial agreement was announced in January. However, he has since completed a rehabilitation programme and is currently engaged in individual fitness work. He is expected to be fit for the commencement of pre-season training under Andoni Iraola, Liverpool’s new head coach.
His return to fitness is particularly timely for Liverpool, as fellow centre-back Giovanni Leoni has been sidelined with a cruciate ligament injury. Leoni suffered this injury on his debut against Southampton in September, which impacted his first season at Anfield. Both Jacquet and Leoni are anticipated to be ready for the start of pre-season.
Jacquet is set to join Liverpool’s first-team squad as one of their central defensive options. He will be alongside established players such as Virgil van Dijk, Leoni, and Joe Gomez. His arrival provides Liverpool with four centre-backs for the upcoming season.
Strategic acquisition and expert opinions
The signing of Jacquet aligns with Liverpool’s broader strategy of identifying and recruiting emerging elite talent, aiming to lower the average age of their first-team squad. Over the last two transfer windows, the average age of Liverpool’s first-team signings has been lower than 22.
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 with Rennes, particularly after his return from a loan spell in the second division.
European football expert Kevin Hatchard also commented on Jacquet, identifying him as a “rising star.” Hatchard highlighted Jacquet’s attributes as a modern centre-back, including his proficiency on the ball, passing range, athleticism, and aerial ability. He has been a captain at various youth levels for France, indicating his leadership potential.
While acknowledging Jacquet’s potential, Hatchard also pointed out that he does not have an extensive record in top-level football. Jacquet had a successful loan period at Clermont and has been playing for Rennes this season. His coach, Habib Beye, reportedly stated that allowing Jacquet to leave this season would necessitate a downgrade in the club’s goals.
Jacquet’s transfer follows Liverpool’s earlier summer signing of Spanish winger Victor Munoz for £34m. The club also made an £86m package offer for Yan Diomande from RB Leipzig.
The 20-year-old 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. For me it’s a big dream, it’s a big club. A club like Liverpool, it’s a big dream for me.”
Read Also
Source: theguardian.com
George Hartwell is the Senior Football Correspondent at News-GB.org, covering the Premier League, the EFL and the England national side with twelve years of reporting experience. He reported on West Country football before national coverage. He holds a degree in Sports Journalism from the University of the West of England and completed an NCTJ diploma. Based in Bristol, he watches grassroots football and writes a tactics column. “Tactics tell you more than any scoreline.”