Liverpool is set to receive a significant boost to their defense with the acquisition of 20-year-old Rennes defender Jeremy Jacquet, reportedly beating Chelsea to the punch in a deal valued at $82 million. However, the help won’t extend to the immediate future, as Jacquet is not expected to join until summer despite undergoing a medical on Monday.
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MORE — Confirmed Premier League transfers, January 2026
While Jacquet’s transfer has been finalized with the Ligue 1 club, it won’t provide immediate relief for Liverpool’s struggling defense. The Reds agreed to the deal on Sunday but will have to wait until summer for his arrival.
According to Sky Sports, Chelsea matched Liverpool’s offer, but with Mamadou Sarr’s return to Chelsea and Josh Acheampong remaining at the club, Jacquet opted for a move to Liverpool.
With Liverpool competing in the Premier League, UEFA Champions League, and FA Cup, their defense is currently facing challenges, featuring only Virgil van Dijk and Ibrahima Konate as fit senior center backs. Recently, Japanese midfielder Wataru Endo has filled in defensively, and the only center back on the bench during Saturday’s victory over Newcastle was 19-year-old Amara Nallo.
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Long-term injuries have also sidelined Joe Gomez and Giovanni Leoni.
Who is Jeremy Jacquet? Liverpool’s Prospective New Center Back
The 6-foot-2 defender, who turns 21 in July, has represented France at U17 through U21 levels.
Jacquet joined the Rennes academy at the age of 14 and made his Ligue 1 debut for both Rennes and loan club Clermont Foot during the 2023-24 season.
Last season, he played for both Rennes (11 appearances) and Clermont (18 appearances, scoring 2 goals in Ligue 2), but he has since established himself as a key player for Rennes in Ligue 1.
This season, Jacquet has logged 1,604 minutes across 18 starts, trailing only goalkeeper Brice Samba in total minutes played for the team.
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With an impressive passing range, he averages 2.9 accurate long balls per 90 minutes—leading the club—as well as 4.8 clearances and 0.8 blocks per 90 for a Rennes side currently sitting sixth in the league, striving for a European return, which is why the club is keen to retain him for the remainder of the season.