‘It’s the best deal we could hope for’ – Rennes head coach Habib Beye on Jérémy Jacquet’s €72m Liverpool move | OneFootball

Rennes head coach Habib Beye has confirmed that France U21 international and Rennes Academy graduate Jérémy Jacquet (20) was undergoing a medical today ahead of a €72m move to Liverpool. The centre-back will spend the remainder of the Ligue 1 season on loan at his formative side. Beye faced the media today on the eve of Rennes’ Coupe de France RO16 clash against Olympique de Marseille.

Beye did not confirm that Jacquet’s move was a done deal, although he estimates that everything should be resolved in a couple of hours. “I don’t want to comment on something that is not yet real. It’s supposition“, said the former Newcastle United full-back. Given Jacquet is currently on Merseyside, he is a doubt to face Les Phocéens tomorrow night.

Beye has added that selling Jacquet now for a club-record €72m package and getting the player immediately back is “the best deal we could hope for” as it suited all parties. “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.“

Beye also noted how powerless Rennes are compared to the financial might of major European clubs, who in recent years have poached Eduardo Camavinga, Jérémy Doku and Désiré Doué. “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.“

GFFN | Bastien Cheval