-
Beth Lindop
Multiple Authors
ESPN sources report that Liverpool has secured a pre-agreement with Rennes to acquire defender Jérémy Jacquet this summer.
The anticipated fee is around £55 million ($74 million), with an additional £5 million ($6.8 million) in potential add-ons. The 20-year-old defender is seen as a key element in Liverpool’s defensive restructuring.
Although Chelsea showed interest in signing the centre-back, sources indicate that Jacquet prefers a transfer to Anfield, with personal terms expected to be straightforward.
Defensive reinforcements are a priority for Liverpool, especially considering the uncertain futures of Ibrahima Konaté and Andy Robertson, both of whom are facing contract expiration this summer. Last summer, the Premier League champions attempted to negotiate a move for Marc Guéhi from Crystal Palace, but the deal fell through on transfer deadline day when Palace withdrew from negotiations.
Recently, England international Guéhi made a move to Manchester City. Sources detailed that Liverpool discussed the possibility of bringing in Netherlands international Lutsharel Geertruida, currently loaned to Sunderland from RB Leipzig, for a January transfer, but ultimately decided against pursuing the deal when Sunderland failed to secure a replacement.
This season, Liverpool has faced a series of defensive injuries, losing players like Conor Bradley and Giovanni Leoni for the remainder of the season, while Joe Gomez and Jeremie Frimpong are currently sidelined as well.
Under the management of Arne Slot, the reigning Premier League champions currently sit in 6th place, trailing leaders Arsenal by 14 points, but are just two points behind fourth-placed Manchester United.