Jeremy Jacquet opted to join Liverpool ahead of Chelsea on Sunday, with the Rennes centre-back identifying a clearer pathway to regular first-team action at Anfield. The promising French defender is highly regarded and had attracted interest from the Blues during the latter stages of the January transfer window.
Liverpool entered the pursuit at the eleventh hour and clinched a £60million agreement, with Jacquet himself viewing the Reds as offering superior opportunities for consistent game time. Chelsea received an identical proposal to Liverpool, but the previous 48 hours proved decisive in the Rennes defender’s choice of Anfield over Stamford Bridge for a summer transfer.
Sky Sports claim that upon discovering Mamadou Sarr would be returning to Chelsea from his loan stint at Strasbourg, and that Josh Acheampong would be remaining, Jacquet changed his mind on Chelsea and decided that Liverpool represented the superior option, given the Blues’ bloated squad.
The agreement remains unofficial at the time of publication, with Liverpool under no obligation to finalise the transfer before Monday’s 7pm deadline.
The Blues also boast Trevoh Chalobah, Wesley Fofana, Tosin Adarabioyo, Benoit Badiashile, Aaron Anselmino and Jorrel Hato within their senior squad. Levi Colwill is also set to return from injury – creating a situation where numerous players face exclusion from matchday selections.
Liverpool, meanwhile, face a shortage at centre-back with their options potentially diminishing further come summer. They presently have Virgil van Dijk, Ibrahima Konate, Joe Gomez and Giovanni Leoni at their disposal, but Konate’s deal is running down and set to expire this summer.
The Reds had previously missed out on Marc Guehi during the summer window before watching the Crystal Palace defender join rivals Manchester City, forcing them to explore alternative targets. Liverpool hadn’t anticipated major spending this month, but capitalised on the chance when it arose.
Rennes were determined to retain Jacquet until the campaign’s conclusion, with the French side battling for Champions League qualification, and the arrangement benefits all involved parties.
Their manager Habib Beye explained: “We negotiated the transfer, obtained the amount the club looked for, we respected the player’s wish and we have him for the remainder of the season. The club he joins will offer him Champions League football.”
The 20-year-old typically functions as a right-sided centre-back, though has occasionally featured at right-back. Jacquet was exceptional as France reached the U19 European Championship final last year.