Liverpool Secure Future Defensive Anchor Jérémy Jacquet
By Nego Sports Press
In a significant move to solidify their backline, Liverpool FC has reached an agreement to sign the highly-rated Jérémy Jacquet from French side Stade Rennais (Rennes). The deal, valued at approximately £60 million (€60m initial fee plus €10m in potential add-ons), represents a major "hijack" after the 20-year-old was heavily linked with a move to Chelsea throughout the January window.
Under the terms of the agreement, Jacquet will remain at Rennes on loan for the remainder of the 2025/26 season to help them push for European qualification before officially arriving at Anfield in June 2026.
Player Profile and Statistics Jacquet is a towering central defender (188 cm) known for his physical dominance and composure on the ball. Despite his young age, he has become a mainstay in the Rennes defence.
* Position: Centre-back (CB) * Total Goals: He has scored 0 goals in the 2025/26 Ligue 1 season, though he has registered shots in several matches.
* Defensive Contributions: He is statistically one of the best in France for aerial dominance, winning 68.97% of his aerial duels overall and over 83% within his own penalty area. He has also recorded 68 interceptions and 66 tackles this season.
* Clean Sheets: He has contributed to 5 clean sheets in 19 appearances so far this term. Contract Details and Reasons for Joining Jacquet has reportedly agreed to a five-year contract that will keep him at Liverpool until June 2031, with an option for an additional year.
Why Liverpool chose him: * Succession Planning: With Ibrahima Konaté's contract entering its final months and uncertainty surrounding his extension, Jacquet is viewed as a natural successor. * Technical Fit: His style is often compared to William Saliba and Gabriel Magalhães, blending "controlled aggression" with a relaxed passing style that suits Arne Slot's build-up play. * Injury Coverage: Ongoing concerns with defenders like Joe Gomez and Giovanni Leoni have forced the club to act decisively for the long term.
Why he chose Liverpool: Jacquet reportedly preferred the "Anfield project" over Chelsea due to a clearer pathway to the starting eleven. He was wary of the "bloated squad" at Stamford Bridge and felt his development would be better served under the coaching staff at Liverpool.
Relationship with Arne Slot While Jacquet won't work with Arne Slot until the summer, the Liverpool manager has already voiced his intent to strengthen the squad without weakening it. Slot's tactical preference for a 4-2-3-1 or occasionally a 4-4-2 requires defenders who are comfortable defending large spaces and can initiate attacks—traits Jacquet possesses in abundance. Their relationship is expected to be one of "high-potential integration," with Slot looking to refine Jacquet’s tendency for "overconfidence" into elite-level composure.
Current League Standing As of early February 2026, Liverpool sits in 6th place in the Premier League table with 39 points from 24 matches. They recently secured a morale-boosting 4-1 victory over Newcastle United, though they currently trail league leaders Arsenal by 14 points. The addition of Jacquet in the summer is seen as a vital step toward returning to a sustained title challenge in the 2026/27 campaign.