Liverpool agree £60m Jeremy Jacquet deal after hijacking Chelsea talks | OneFootball

Reds swooped in and agreed to pay Rennes’ asking price for young star

Liverpool have agreed a £60million deal to sign Rennes centre-back Jeremy Jacquet, who has been in talks with Chelsea.

Chelsea are long-time admirers of Jacquet, who is considered one the most promising youngsters in Europe.

Chelsea were unwilling to match that asking price, but Liverpool have obliged after launching a late bid for the 20-year-old, with significant progress made over the past 48 hours.

Personal terms will now be discussed, which are expected to be a formality.

Jacquet would likely replace Ibrahima Konate at Liverpool, with the centre-back's future at the club still uncertain as he enters the final months of his contract with little expectation of an extension being signed.

Liverpool have been looking for a new centre-back. They missed out on Marc Guehi, who joined Manchester City in a cut-price deal earlier this month, and briefly explored a loan move for Lutsharel Geertruida after talks with Sunderland.

Chelsea have already moved on from Jacquet, with Mamadou Sarr flying into London to finalise a return on Deadline Day after his Strasbourg loan was cut short. The Blues are also reluctant to hamper Josh Acheampong’s development.

Aaron Anselmino, who recently saw his loan move with Borussia Dortmund end early, will replace Sarr at the Ligue 1 side.