Liverpool have reportedly beaten Premier League rivals Chelsea to the signing of highly-rated Rennes defender Jeremy Jacquet
The France Under-21 international and a product of Rennes’ academy system has been linked to Chelsea all through the January transfer window. However, Liverpool are said to have agreed a £60 million ($82m) deal.
According to Sky Sports, Jacquet is considered to be a long-term addition at Anfield, with the likes of Virgil van Dijk likely to leave anytime soon.
Chelsea are said to have held talks with the player and his representatives, but they will “not match Liverpool’s bid”.
Jeremy Jacquet is set to join Liverpool from Stade Rennais (Rennes, SRFC). (Photo by Jean Catuffe/Getty Images)
Sky Sports claims that “Chelsea offered exactly the same deal as Liverpool but over the past 48 hours, when it became apparent that Mamadou Sarr would be returning to Chelsea and Josh Acheampong was staying, the player changed his mind and decided to move to Liverpool”.
Jacquet is said to favour a move to Anfield as he is more likely to see regular game time with Liverpool. Chelsea’s squad is already loaded with promising centre-halves, meaning that competition for places will be fierce.
The Blues currently have Trevoh Chalobah, Wesley Fofana, Tosin Adarabioyo, Benoit Badiashile, Axel Disasi, Aaron Anselmino and Jorrel Hato in their first-team squad, while England international Levi Colwill will return from an ACL injury at some stage and Sarr is seeing a loan spell at Strasbourg cut short.
Meanwhile, Liverpool are short on options at the back. Joe Gomez and Giovanni Leoni are injured at present, while France international Ibrahima Konate is seeing his contract run down towards free agency.
Club captain Virgil van Dijk will turn 35 in July, a good replacement is needed.
Marc Guehi was considered as a perfect addition to the squad but Manchester City stepped in and won the race. Jacquet is now set to join as he boasts the potential to become a key asset for the short and long-term future.
