Liverpool has finalized the transfer of Jeremy Jacquet for an upfront fee of £55m.
The defender’s transfer from Rennes, was confirmed earlier this year and he has signed a five-year deal with an option for an additional year.
Jacquet’s contract may increase by £5m with additional bonuses, and he is projected to be fit for the pre-season following a shoulder injury that sidelined him since February.
With Jacquet’s signing, Liverpool now has a suitable replacement for Ibrahima Konate, who departed the club on a free transfer and is now with Real Madrid.
Chelsea had shown interest in the 20-year-old Jacquet, but Liverpool secured his signature during the winter transfer window, allowing him to stay at Rennes for the rest of the season.
Jacquet’s recovery from a dislocated shoulder is a boost for Liverpool, especially since fellow center-back Giovanni Leoni is currently out with a serious knee injury sustained during his debut against Southampton in September.
Jacquet’s arrival provides Liverpool with four center-backs for the upcoming season, joining Leoni, Joe Gomez, and captain Virgil van Dijk.
Liverpool has already made one addition this summer, acquiring Spanish winger Victor Munoz for £34m, and they have proposed an £86m deal to RB Leipzig for Yan Diomande.