Liverpool have reportedly beaten off competition from Chelsea to sign Rennes defender Jeremy Jacquet in a deal worth up to £60 million (£82 million), according to British media reports on Monday.
Despite the agreement, the 20-year-old centre-back is not expected to complete his move to Anfield until the end of the season, even as Liverpool continue to struggle with limited defensive options.
Jacquet had been strongly linked with a move to Chelsea earlier this month but was reportedly discouraged by the intense competition for places in the Blues’ crowded centre-back department.
Liverpool, in contrast, are currently short of options at the heart of defence. Club captain Virgil van Dijk, 34, and Ibrahima Konate—who is out of contract at the end of the season—are the only senior centre-backs available to head coach Arne Slot.
Joe Gomez and Giovanni Leoni are both sidelined with injuries, further compounding the club’s defensive challenges.
Jacquet, a French Under-21 international, has made just 31 appearances for Rennes since breaking into the Ligue 1 club’s first team last season but is regarded as one of the most promising young defenders in France.
Reports indicate that Liverpool will pay an initial £55 million for the defender, with an additional £5 million tied to performance-related add-ons.
