Liverpool completes £60m signing of Jeremy Jacquet from Rennes
Jacquet’s arrival at Anfield
Liverpool have officially finalised the £60m transfer of defender Jeremy Jacquet from Rennes. The move sees the France Under-21 international sign a five-year contract with an option for an additional year at Anfield. This agreement was initially reached in January, with the player remaining at Rennes for the rest of the 2025/26 season before completing his switch.
The fee for Jacquet includes an initial payment of £55m, with an additional £5m potentially payable in performance-related add-ons. This acquisition follows a period of interest from several top European clubs, including Chelsea and Bayern Munich, both of whom were reportedly keen on securing the young centre-back’s services. Chelsea reportedly offered the same deal as Liverpool, but Jacquet ultimately chose to move to Anfield.
Jacquet expressed his enthusiasm for joining the club, stating, “I feel really good, the first impressions are good and I am very happy to start here. I am very happy. When I see the facilities, I can see myself there. I feel good here and I am very excited to get started. For me it’s a big dream, it’s a big club. A club like Liverpool, it’s a big dream for me.”
Fitness and squad integration
Despite suffering a shoulder injury earlier this year, Jacquet has successfully completed a rehabilitation programme. He is currently engaged in individual fitness work and is expected to be available for the start of pre-season training. This timely return to fitness is crucial for Liverpool, especially as fellow centre-back Giovanni Leoni has been sidelined by a cruciate ligament injury sustained during his debut against Southampton in September. Leoni is also anticipated to be fit for the start of pre-season.
Jacquet will join Virgil van Dijk, Geovanni Leoni, and Joe Gomez as one of Liverpool’s central defensive options. His arrival provides a replacement for Ibrahima Konate, who departed on a free transfer after his contract expired and subsequently joined Real Madrid. The addition of Jacquet brings the number of senior centre-backs at Liverpool to four for the upcoming season.
The signing aligns with Liverpool’s strategy of recruiting emerging elite talent and lowering the average age of their first-team squad. The average age of their first-team signings over the last two transfer windows has been lower than 22. This approach highlights the club’s focus on long-term development and securing promising young players.
Expert opinions on Jacquet
French football expert Julien Laurens described Jacquet as “the real deal,” despite his youth and lack of experience in the Champions League or Europa League. Laurens noted Jacquet’s impressive performance last season after returning from a loan spell in the second division, and his continued strong form with Habib Beye. Laurens drew comparisons between Jacquet and other prominent young defenders, such as William Saliba and Wesley Fofana, suggesting that Jacquet has significant potential.
European football expert Kevin Hatchard echoed these sentiments, identifying Jacquet as a “rising star” who has been a captain at various youth levels for France. Hatchard highlighted Jacquet’s attributes as a modern centre-back, including his proficiency on the ball, passing range, athleticism, and aerial ability. However, Hatchard also pointed out that Jacquet does not have an extensive record in top-level football, indicating that this transfer represents a significant investment in potential.
Jacquet’s former coach, Habib Beye, reportedly stated that allowing Jacquet to leave would necessitate a downgrade in the club’s goals for the season, underscoring the defender’s importance to Rennes. This perspective further emphasises the value Liverpool has placed on the young player. Liverpool has also made another signing this summer, bringing in Spain winger Victor Munoz for £34m.
The official completion of Jacquet’s transfer took place on 1 July 2026.
Read Also
Source: skysports.com
As News GB's Senior Football Correspondent, Lewis Hartnell reports on the Premier League, the EFL and the England national side for readers across the country. He reported on south-coast football for a regional title. He holds a degree in Sports Journalism from Solent University and completed an NCTJ diploma. Lewis lives in Southampton, where he watches youth football and follows the transfer market. “The week's training ground decides the weekend's headlines.”
