Liverpool Beat Chelsea to Jeremy Jacquet as £60m Rennes Deal Signals Defensive Rebuild

Liverpool may still be fighting their battles on the pitch, but away from the floodlights they appear to have landed a decisive blow in the transfer market. In a move that has caught plenty of rivals off guard, the Reds are reported to have won the race for Rennes defender Jeremy Jacquet, seeing off stiff competition from Chelsea to agree a deal worth up to £60 million.

For a club entering a period of quiet but significant transition, the pursuit of Jacquet feels less like a gamble and more like a statement. Liverpool are thinking long-term again — and they believe the 20-year-old Frenchman can be part of the spine of the team for years to come.

Liverpool’s Jeremy Jacquet Agreement with Rennes Explained

Jeremy Jacquet Chelsea

According to reports from Sky Sports and sources close to the negotiations, Liverpool have reached an agreement in principle with Rennes for the transfer of Jeremy Jacquet, with the deal expected to be completed in the summer transfer window.

The structure of the agreement is said to include a £55m guaranteed fee, with a further £5m in performance-related add-ons, bringing the total potential value to £60m. While personal terms with Jacquet are yet to be finalised, those involved insist that discussions with the player are progressing smoothly and are “not expected to be an issue”.

Importantly, this is not a move designed for immediate disruption. Liverpool view Jacquet as a strategic signing — someone who can be gradually introduced while learning the demands of the Premier League, before eventually becoming a first-choice option at Anfield.

The timing of the deal, struck as the winter window edges towards its conclusion, underlines how determined Liverpool were to act decisively and quietly, rather than allow a bidding war to spiral out of control in the summer.

Chelsea Miss Out on Jacquet After Late Transfer Twist

For much of the process, Chelsea were widely considered favourites to sign Jacquet. The Stamford Bridge club had been in dialogue with the player’s representatives and Rennes, and at one stage appeared to be leading the chase.

However, the final outcome has swung decisively in Liverpool’s favour. Sky Sports report that Chelsea were unwilling to match Liverpool’s financial commitment under the final terms of the deal. Even more significantly, changes within Chelsea’s own defensive plans reportedly played a major role in Jacquet’s decision-making.

With Mamadou Sarr returning to Chelsea and Josh Acheampong staying put, Jacquet is said to have reassessed his path to regular first-team football. Chelsea’s squad is already crowded with central defenders, and the prospect of immediate opportunities became far less certain.

Liverpool, sensing hesitation, moved quickly — and convincingly.

Why Jeremy Jacquet Chose Liverpool Over Chelsea

At the heart of Jacquet’s decision was a simple but crucial factor: game time.

Chelsea’s defensive department is bursting at the seams. Players such as Trevoh Chalobah, Wesley Fofana, Tosin Adarabioyo, Benoit Badiashile, Axel Disasi, Aaron Anselmino and Jorrel Hato are already competing for minutes, with Levi Colwill expected to return from injury and Sarr set to rejoin the group.

Liverpool’s situation could hardly be more different.

Injuries to Joe Gomez and Giovanni Leoni have left the Reds light at the back, while Ibrahima Konate’s contract situation is unresolved and Virgil van Dijk will turn 35 this summer. Even with Van Dijk’s continued excellence, Liverpool know succession planning can no longer be postponed.

For Jacquet, Anfield represents opportunity — not just to develop, but to play.

Arne Slot’s Search for Defensive Stability

New Liverpool head coach Arne Slot has made no secret of his desire to refresh the defensive unit. Earlier plans to land Marc Guehi fell through when Manchester City intervened and secured the Crystal Palace defender in January, forcing Liverpool to reassess their options.

Jacquet emerged as the standout alternative: younger, arguably riskier, but with a ceiling that excites Liverpool’s recruitment team.

Slot is understood to be particularly drawn to Jacquet’s composure in possession and his ability to defend on the front foot — qualities increasingly essential in a Premier League that demands centre-backs do far more than simply clear their lines.

From Rennes Academy to Premier League Prospect

Jeremy Jacquet is very much a product of Rennes’ famed academy, a production line that has quietly supplied Europe with elite-level talent. After returning from a loan spell in France’s second tier, Jacquet has made 18 Ligue 1 appearances this season, impressing with maturity beyond his years.

His performances have not gone unnoticed. Scouts from across Europe have tracked his development closely, but Liverpool’s blend of sporting vision and financial commitment proved decisive.

Despite his age, Jacquet already shows leadership traits, strong positioning and an ability to read the game — all hallmarks of a modern central defender.

Jacquet Compared to Saliba and Fofana

French football expert Julien Laurens believes Liverpool may have secured a gem.

Speaking to Sky Sports, Laurens said:
“He’s the real deal. He reminds me of when William Saliba first broke through in France, or Wesley Fofana. You’re paying for potential, and it’s a lot of money, but sometimes that’s the price of elite talent.”

Laurens acknowledged that Jacquet still has much to prove, but insisted that his trajectory is heading firmly in the right direction — especially under Rennes coach Habib Beye, who has trusted him in high-pressure situations.

What This Means for Liverpool’s Future

Liverpool currently sit sixth in the Premier League, with European qualification still very much in their sights. Securing Champions League football would only strengthen their hand as they prepare to welcome Jacquet to Merseyside.

More broadly, the deal reflects a familiar Liverpool blueprint: identify elite potential early, invest heavily, and trust development over reputation.

Beating Chelsea to Jacquet is not just a transfer win — it is a reminder that Liverpool remain sharp, strategic and ambitious in the market. If Jeremy Jacquet fulfils even a fraction of the promise seen in France, this £60m deal may one day look like a bargain rather than a risk.