Liverpool Secure Rennes Defender Jacquet in £55M Deal
Liverpool secure Rennes defender Jacquet for £55m, delaying the move till season's end, as Chelsea's hopes fade in the race.
Liverpool have secured the signing of Rennes defender Jacquet, but the 20-year-old will only join the club once the current season wraps up. This comes despite the Reds' urgent need to bolster their defensive ranks.
Earlier this month, Jacquet was linked with a move to Chelsea. However, the presence of heavy competition for centre-back roles in their crowded squad reportedly discouraged the young Frenchman from committing to the Blues. In stark contrast, Liverpool face a shortage of options at centre-back.
Currently, Arne Slot’s defensive unit is limited. Captain Virgil van Dijk, 34, and Ibrahima Konate, whose contract expires at the season's end, stand as the only fit centre-backs. Meanwhile, Joe Gomez and Giovanni Leoni are both sidelined with injuries.
Jacquet is a French under-21 international who has featured 31 times for Rennes since breaking into their Ligue 1 first team last season. The deal with Liverpool is said to involve an initial £55 million, with a potential £5 million in additional fees based on add-ons.
