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Liverpool push ahead in Jacquet pursuit

Liverpool’s recruitment planning for the summer has begun to sharpen, with Rennes centre back Jérémy Jacquet emerging as a priority target. As reported by The Times, the Anfield club are “continuing to push for Rennes centre back Jérémy Jacquet, who is also wanted by Chelsea”, underlining how quickly this has developed into one of the early transfer battles of the next window.

Jacquet, still only 20, would not be available until June, with Rennes seeking “around £55million, plus £5million in add-ons”. That valuation reflects both his age and his rapid rise, having already broken into France Under-21 contention. Liverpool’s interest appears deliberate rather than opportunistic, rooted in a broader reassessment of their defensive future.

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Defensive planning drives Liverpool thinking

The urgency behind Liverpool’s move is explained by recent frustrations. The club “missed out on Marc Guéhi, who joined Manchester City this month”, while the situation around Ibrahima Konaté “remains uncertain as he enters the final four months of his contract”. Against that backdrop, Jacquet represents a long term solution rather than a short term fix.

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There had been parallel discussions over Lutsharel Geertruida, yet “a deal for Netherlands defender Lutsharel Geertruida not expected to progress despite talks with Sunderland”. Despite being “keen to move to Anfield and team up with head coach Arne Slot again”, Sunderland were “not in a position to give the green light to the deal”, forcing Liverpool to recalibrate.

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Summer move fits Slot blueprint

What stands out in the Jacquet pursuit is timing. Liverpool are not scrambling for January cover, but instead targeting a defender who would “join the Anfield club in the summer”. That patience suggests alignment between the recruitment team and Slot, with Jacquet viewed as someone who can be developed within a clear tactical framework.

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Short term solutions have already been improvised, with Dominik Szoboszlai filling in at right back during the 4-1 win over Newcastle United. Injuries to Jeremie Frimpong and Conor Bradley have highlighted fragility, but they have not altered the longer view.

Chelsea interest adds pressure

Chelsea’s involvement adds a familiar edge. Talks with both clubs have turned this into a “tug-of-war”, one that may hinge on clarity of role and pathway. Liverpool’s recent history of integrating young defenders into the first team could yet prove decisive, particularly for a player weighing development over immediate exposure.

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For Liverpool after years of reactive fixes at centre back, the idea of securing a 20-year-old with clear upside, even at a £60m package, speaks to planning rather than panic.

There will be understandable nerves about the price. Supporters have seen expensive young defenders arrive with expectation heavy tags before. Yet the context matters. Missing out on Guéhi and the uncertainty around Konaté means Liverpool cannot afford to drift into another summer of defensive guesswork. Jacquet looks like a bet on profile and potential, not just availability.

Chelsea’s interest will concern fans, not because of rivalry, but because it raises questions about competition and persuasion. Liverpool will need to sell a clear pathway, regular football, and trust under Slot. If they do, many supporters will see Jacquet as an investment in stability, one that could quietly underpin the next phase of the team rather than dominate headlines.

In that sense, this feels very Liverpool, proactive, data led, and aimed at solving tomorrow’s problems today.