‘I’d been talking to Liverpool for a long time’ – Jérémy Jacquet lifts lid on €65m transfer to Arne Slot’s Reds | OneFootball

France international U21 centre-back Jérémy Jacquet gave a wide-ranging interview to Ouest-France ahead of his €65m transfer to Liverpool. Rennes and England’s most successful club shook hands during the winter transfer window over Jacquet’s price tag and future destination. Unfortunately for him, Jacquet’s last campaign with formative club Stade Rennais was cut short after he sustained a serious shoulder injury in early February.

Jacquet tells the outlet that he quickly saw himself as a Liverpool player, rebuffing the belief that the Reds eventually swooped in at the last minute to snatch him from Premier League rivals “I’d been talking to them for a long time. It didn’t happen in the span of a week…” Jacquet didn’t deny that Manchester United were also keen to sign him, and added that Chelsea’s squad depth was a contributing factor to him not joining the Blues.

The France international justifies his decision to sign for Liverpool by the club’s sporting project, despite doubts surrounding the future of Slot after an underwhelming Premier League title defense. “I spoke with the management; the club’s history weighed heavily on my decision, but so did the project they offered me.“

Jacquet is adamant that he’ll be ready for pre-season after sustaining shoulder surgery during Spring. “I still have over a month to go. I’ll be ready.”

GFFN | Bastien Cheval