Manager confirms Liverpool’s €72m deadline day signing | OneFootball

Liverpool secure Jeremy Jacquet in landmark Rennes agreement

Liverpool have moved decisively in the winter market, agreeing a club record package to sign France Under 21 centre back Jérémy Jacquet from Rennes. The 20 year old academy graduate is in Merseyside to complete his medical ahead of a €72m move, with the understanding that he will remain in Ligue 1 on loan until the end of the season.

The timing is no coincidence. Under Arne Slot,  Liverpool have made a habit of acting early, identifying elite profiles and securing them before a bidding war begins. Jacquet fits the brief, young, tactically flexible, and already comfortable as a starter at a club that demands maturity from its defenders.

Rennes head coach Habib Beye confirmed the situation on the eve of a Coupe de France round of 16 tie against Olympique de Marseille, though he stopped short of calling it done. “I don’t want to comment on something that is not yet real. It’s supposition“, he said, before adding that everything should be resolved in a couple of hours.

Photo: IMAGO

Rennes perspective on a record breaking sale

Behind the careful phrasing, there was a clear sense of acceptance. For a club that has built its reputation on developing talent, the reality of modern football often means selling at the peak. Beye framed the agreement as a win for all involved, especially with Jacquet staying put for the rest of the campaign.

“The best deal we could hope for” was how he described it, expanding with a level of candour that is refreshing in an industry that often prefers spin. “We negotiated the transfer, obtained the amount that the club looked for, we respected the player’s wish and we have him for the remainder of the season.“

Those words speak volumes. Rennes keep their defensive leader for a crucial run in Ligue 1 and the domestic cups, while Liverpool secure a long term investment without disrupting the player’s rhythm mid season.

Jeremy Jacquet pathway to Anfield

For Jacquet, the move to Liverpool represents the natural next step. A product of the Rennes academy, he has grown into a commanding presence at the back, combining pace with positional intelligence. Slot’s system, which prizes defenders who can build from the back and step into midfield when required, should suit him down to the ground.

Remaining in France until the summer also offers continuity. Rennes are still fighting on multiple fronts, and a strong finish would only enhance Jacquet’s readiness for the Premier League. It also gives Liverpool time to plan his integration, rather than throwing him into the deep end during a congested fixture list.

Financial gulf shaping European football

Beye was also frank about the wider forces at play, referencing previous departures such as Eduardo Camavinga, Jérémy Doku and Désiré Doué. Rennes, like many well run clubs outside the elite, face an uphill battle when Europe’s heavyweights come calling.

“It’s the reality of the market. The club he joins will offer him Champions League football and what is currently the best league in the world (…) We simply don’t have the means to fight.“

That reality underpins this deal. Liverpool get a defender they believe can anchor their back line for the next decade, Rennes receive a transformative fee, and Jacquet earns the platform his talent warrants. In modern football, that alignment of interests is about as good as it gets.