Liverpool have secured a verbal agreement to sign Rennes centre-back Jeremy Jacquet in a deal that could reach £60m.
The 20-year-old defender, who had also attracted strong interest from Chelsea, is now expected to complete a move to Anfield this summer. The agreement includes a guaranteed £55m fee, with a further £5m available in performance-based add-ons. Jacquet is scheduled to undergo his medical in England on Deadline Day.
Chelsea had tabled an identical offer, but developments over the past two days saw the player reconsider his options. With Mamadou Sarr set to return to Stamford Bridge and Josh Acheampong staying put, Jacquet opted for Liverpool, where he believes his long-term chances of regular football are stronger.
Chelsea’s centre-back ranks are already crowded, featuring Trevoh Chalobah, Wesley Fofana, Tosin Adarabioyo, Benoit Badiashile, Axel Disasi, Aaron Anselmino and Jorrel Hato, with Levi Colwill nearing a return from injury and Sarr due back from his Strasbourg loan.
Liverpool, by contrast, are short of defensive options. Virgil van Dijk and Ibrahima Konaté are the only fit senior centre-backs, with Joe Gomez and Giovanni Leoni sidelined. Konaté’s contract also runs out at the end of the season, raising the possibility of a free departure in the summer.
Jacquet’s arrival follows Liverpool’s failed late attempt to sign Marc Guéhi from Crystal Palace on Deadline Day last summer.
[THE WHISTLER]