Liverpool Win Race For Rennes Star Jeremy Jacquet In Summer Transfer Twist

Liverpool have made a significant move in the transfer market, reaching a pre-agreement with Rennes for the summer signing of highly-rated French centre-back Jérémy Jacquet. The 20-year-old defender, long considered one of Ligue 1’s most promising talents, is set to join the Reds at the end of the 2025-26 season in a deal worth an initial £55 million, rising to £60 million with add-ons. The news, which broke on February 1, 2026, has sent ripples through the Premier League, particularly as Liverpool appear to have beaten out strong competition from Chelsea for Jacquet’s coveted signature.

The saga surrounding Jacquet’s future has been brewing for months, with both Liverpool and Chelsea vying for the French youth international. According to sources cited by ESPN and Sky Sports, Chelsea matched Liverpool’s financial offer—reportedly €60 million plus €10 million in performance-related bonuses—but ultimately, Jacquet opted for a move to Merseyside. The decisive factor? Chelsea’s crowded stable of young centre-backs and the imminent return of Mamadou Sarr to Stamford Bridge. As reported by Sky Sports, "when it became apparent that Sarr would be returning to Chelsea and Josh Acheampong would be staying, the player changed his mind and decided to move to Liverpool."

Personal terms between Liverpool and Jacquet are said to be agreed, with the Frenchman expected to undergo a medical on Monday, February 3, ahead of his summer switch. The arrangement will see Jacquet remain at Rennes for the rest of the current campaign, a key condition for the Ligue 1 club, who are pushing for European qualification and currently sit sixth in the French top flight. Jacquet has played a pivotal role in Rennes’ season, starting all 18 league matches for which he was available and clocking up 1,604 minutes—the second-most in the squad, behind only goalkeeper Brice Samba. His defensive stats are eye-catching: 2.9 accurate long balls per 90 minutes, 4.8 clearances, and 0.8 blocks, numbers that highlight both his composure and effectiveness at the back.

Jacquet’s journey to this point has been one of steady progression. Joining Rennes’ academy at 14, he broke into the first team during the 2023-24 season, splitting time between Rennes and a productive loan spell at Clermont Foot in Ligue 2, where he made 18 appearances and scored twice. His performances last season, both for Rennes and on loan, caught the eye of several European giants, with Arsenal also expressing interest before ultimately signing Cristhian Mosquera from Valencia. Since then, Jacquet has become a mainstay in Rennes’ defense and a regular for France at youth international levels, featuring from U17 through to U21.

Liverpool’s move for Jacquet is part of a broader strategy to rejuvenate their squad with young, high-potential talent. The club’s summer 2025 signings included Florian Wirtz, Hugo Ekitike, Milos Kerkez, and Alexander Isak, all of whom are under 25. Jacquet is viewed as a key piece in this next-generation puzzle, especially as the Reds look to address defensive frailties that have plagued their campaign. Arne Slot’s side has struggled with injuries at the back: Conor Bradley and Giovanni Leoni are out for the season, while Joe Gomez and Jeremie Frimpong remain sidelined. With only Virgil van Dijk and Ibrahima Konate—whose contract is set to expire this summer—fit and available, Liverpool have had to rely on makeshift solutions, including deploying Japanese midfielder Wataru Endo as a centre-back and calling up 19-year-old Amara Nallo to the bench.

The urgency for defensive reinforcements has been compounded by Liverpool’s position in the Premier League table. As of February 1, 2026, the defending champions find themselves in sixth place, 14 points adrift of leaders Arsenal and two points behind fourth-placed Manchester United in the race for Champions League qualification. The club’s attempts to strengthen at the back last summer fell short when a £35 million move for Marc Guehi collapsed on deadline day—Guehi has since joined Manchester City. Liverpool also explored a January transfer for Lutsharel Geertruida, currently on loan at Sunderland from RB Leipzig, but talks broke down when Sunderland couldn’t secure a replacement.

Jacquet’s decision to choose Liverpool over Chelsea is seen as a major coup for the Merseyside club. While Chelsea had reportedly agreed personal terms with the player and were in advanced talks with Rennes, the situation shifted rapidly after Sarr’s return and the realization that Chelsea’s pathway to regular first-team football was less clear. Sky Sports noted that Jacquet is likely to play more regularly under Arne Slot at Liverpool, a prospect that clearly appealed to the young Frenchman. Chelsea, meanwhile, will have to turn their attention to alternative defensive targets as they contend with their own injury woes, including absences for Levi Colwill and Tosin Adarabioyo.

For Liverpool, the acquisition of Jacquet is about more than just plugging a gap. The 6-foot-2 defender is seen as a long-term successor to the likes of Van Dijk, who is now 34, and a cornerstone of the club’s evolving defensive identity. Jacquet’s versatility, aerial ability, and composure on the ball have drawn comparisons to some of Europe’s elite centre-backs, and his experience with France’s youth teams suggests he could soon break into the senior national squad. If all goes to plan, he will join Liverpool for pre-season in June 2026 and could even represent France at the World Cup later that summer.

While the deal is yet to be officially announced by Liverpool, all indications point to Jacquet becoming the club’s second-most expensive centre-back signing ever—behind only Van Dijk himself. Supporters will be eager to see how the young Frenchman adapts to the rigors of Premier League football and whether he can help restore Liverpool’s defensive solidity in the seasons to come. For now, Liverpool’s fans can look forward to the arrival of a player who not only fills a pressing need but also embodies the club’s vision for the future.

As the Reds continue their push on three competitive fronts—the Premier League, UEFA Champions League, and FA Cup—the summer arrival of Jérémy Jacquet promises to be a pivotal chapter in Liverpool’s ongoing evolution. The club’s bold investment in youth and quality signals a clear intent: Liverpool aren’t just planning for the next match—they’re building for the next era.