Liverpool in talks to sign William Saliba REGEN | OneFootball

As much as Liverpool fans might not want to admit it, Arsenal star William Saliba is a serious defender, and while he's not Virgil Van Dijk, he's still a really impressive young centre-back.

The 24-year-old has been an essential component in Mikel Arteta's recent Premier League title challenges, and while the Gunners have lost out three times, they're in prime position this season to finally get the job done - although Manchester City and Aston Villa are still lurking behind them.

Any player who is said to resemble the French defender is worthwhile considering, and with the Reds in dire need of new defensive recruits as Arne Slot's squad continues to evolve, they've got a chance.

Liverpool eye Saliba-linked defender

According to the Daily Mail, 20-year-old centre-back Jeremy Jacquet is a player who is expected to 'take the world by story in 2026'. He's currently featuring for Stade Rennes in the French league.

He's only into his second proper season as a senior professional, but he's playing regularly with the first-team and it's actually his efforts for the French under-21 side that are impressing clubs the most.

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It's entirely plausible that he could be knocking on Didier Deschamps' door at the end of the season trying to get in the World Cup squad, where he could feature alongside Ibrahima Konate and Saliba.

The connection with the Arsenal defender stretches to the fact that both players, alongside Kylian Mbappe, grew up in the same Parisian suburb of Bondy, and beyond that, it's understood that Jacquet tries to emulate Saliba on the pitch, while trying to create his own identity as a defender.

Jacquet's major assets are his pace, athleticism, timing, power and composure, and each of those skills make him a player capable of delivering to the highest level. He's got all the 'raw materials'.

Liverpool are more than aware of his promise, with several reports in the media claiming the Reds have 'scouted him extensively' as he's 'the picture of the modern centre-back'. The high praise placed on his shoulders created the possibility that he could move to Merseyside this January.

However, it's not being reported that we should 'watch out for him this summer', which is as clear an intention as any that Rennes won't even consider letting him go with such limited time to replace him.

But if Liverpool's current French defender in Konate decides to leave as a free agent when the season ends, then Richard Hughes will likely consider the option of signing young star Jacquet.