Liverpool have announced a £60m deal for Jeremy Jacquet, with the Rennes centre-back set to join in the summer.
The 20-year-old completed his medical with the champions on deadline day and is expected to travel to Anfield on July 1.
Liverpool have agreed to pay a fixed fee of £55m, plus £5m in performance-related fees.
Chelsea offered him exactly the same deal as Liverpool, but when it became clear in the last 48 hours that Mamadou Sarr would return to Stamford Bridge and Josh Acheampong would stay, the player changed his mind and decided to move to Anfield.
Chelsea’s squad is packed with young centre-backs, so it is believed he is likely to play more regularly in the long term.
Liverpool, on the other hand, are lacking in centre-back options. With Joe Gomez and Giovanni Leoni injured, Virgil van Dijk and Ibrahima Konate are currently the only senior players suitable for the position.
Konate’s contract expires at the end of the season and he could leave for free in the summer. Jaquet was signed after Liverpool’s deadline-day move to sign Marc Guehi from Crystal Palace fell through last summer.
Man City signed Guehi from Palace for £20 million in this transfer window, six months before his contract expired. Liverpool were interested in him on a free transfer in the summer, but the price was not as high as City paid in January.
Lawrence: The jacket is real.
French soccer expert Julien Laurence:
“He’s the real deal. I know he’s only 20 years old, but he’s never played for France, never played in the Champions League or the Europa League.
“He still has a long way to go, but he did well last season when Rennes brought him back from loan in the second division, and this season under coach Habib Bayet.
“Don’t get me wrong, he’s going to be great.
Use Chrome Browser for a more accessible video player
Jamie Carragher has welcomed comparisons between Liverpool’s new signings Jeremy Jacquet and William Saliba, but stressed further defensive reinforcements are still needed.
“When I look at him, I am reminded of when William Saliba appeared on the French scene with Saint-Étienne or Wesley Fofana.
“The important thing is how much you value his potential and talent. You would pay a lot of money for a player who doesn’t have a lot of track record. That’s a lot of money for such a young player.”
Hatchard: Jacquet is a rising star but untested in top-level football
European football expert Kevin Hatchard told Sky Sports News about Jeremy Jacquet:
“He has been considered a rising star for quite some time. He has captained many youth groups in France and is considered to have all the attributes of a modern centre-back.
“He’s good on the ball, he has a good passing range, he’s athletic, he’s great in the air, but he doesn’t have a long track record of playing top-level football.
“He was on loan at Cleremont and it went well. He’s been playing for Rennes this season and it shows how much they value him, they really didn’t want to let him go in this period.”
“His coach, Habib Bayet, said, ‘If we let him go this season, we’re going to have to lower our goals for the season.’
Merce: Liverpool need a centre-back now!
Paul Merson of Sky Sports:
Use Chrome Browser for a more accessible video player
Paul Merson and Clinton Morrison have revealed their surprise that a deal for Liverpool defender Jeremy Jacquet won’t materialize until the summer.
“I thought it was unusual for[Jacquet]to come in the summer. We need a centre-half now to be in the top four or top five.”
“I was surprised. It’s a good deal. As a Chelsea fan, I’m shocked he didn’t come to Chelsea, but I’m happy that Achiampong is staying.”
“I’m so shocked. I’ll never understand why he’s staying in France until the beginning of next season. If I had that kind of money, I’d want him now!”
