Liverpool Secures Pre-Agreement to Sign Jérémy Jacquet for £55m

Agreement with Rennes

Liverpool has reached a preliminary deal with Rennes to acquire defender Jérémy Jacquet this summer, according to credible sources. The total transfer package is expected to amount to £55 million ($74 million), with an additional £5 million ($6.8 million) in performance-related bonuses. The 20-year-old player is considered an essential component of Liverpool’s ongoing defensive overhaul.

Chelsea’s Interest and Jacquet’s Preferences

Chelsea had previously negotiated a fee for Jacquet and anticipated no problems with personal terms. However, the situation changed when Chelsea decided to recall centre-back Mamadou Sarr from his loan at Strasbourg and turned down potential offers for Josh Acheampong. Sources indicate that Jacquet favors the Liverpool project due to the promise of increased playing time.

Need for Defensive Reinforcement

Liverpool is actively seeking defensive reinforcements, especially with the uncertain futures of Ibrahima Konaté and Andy Robertson, both of whom are set to become free agents this summer. The Premier League champions had a bid for Marc Guéhi from Crystal Palace fall through last summer when Palace withdrew from the £35 million ($47.8 million) deal at the last minute. Guéhi has since transferred to Manchester City.

Sources note that Liverpool has also engaged in discussions for a January transfer concerning Netherlands international Lutsharel Geertruida, who is presently on loan at Sunderland from RB Leipzig. However, Liverpool chose not to proceed with this deal due to Sunderland’s inability to secure a replacement.

Current Defensive Challenges

This season has been particularly challenging for Liverpool, plagued by numerous defensive injuries. Conor Bradley and Giovanni Leoni are ruled out for the remainder of the season, while Joe Gomez and Jeremie Frimpong are also sidelined. As it stands, Liverpool occupies sixth place in the Premier League table, trailing leaders Arsenal by 14 points, but is right behind Manchester United, who is in fourth place, by just two points.

Information for this report is supplemented by contributions from journalists knowledgeable in the field.