Emerging Talent: Jacquet’s High-Profile Transfer to Liverpool

The talented 20-year-old centre-back has quickly become one of the most coveted young prospects in European football.

Having made a notable impact since his senior debut at Rennes, Jacquet’s impressive performances have attracted attention from various scouts across Europe. According to reports from Sky Sports Deutschland, Manchester United is among the clubs that have shown interest in securing his signature.

United attempted to sign Jacquet when it was revealed he could be moving to England, but their efforts were unsuccessful as Liverpool had already negotiated a deal. The Reds have put together a £60 million ($82 million) package, with manager Arne Slot aiming to build a long-term project on Merseyside. As reported by The Athletic, a medical examination is scheduled for Jacquet on transfer deadline day.

Once completed, Jacquet will sign a contract with Liverpool that extends through 2031, finalizing what is set to be a high-profile transfer this summer before returning to Rennes.

Chelsea also expressed interest in acquiring Jacquet but ultimately missed out on this promising talent. The defender, who has been a consistent starter in Ligue 1 this season, preferred Liverpool due to the potential for regular playing time. With Ibrahima Konaté facing an uncertain contract situation and Virgil van Dijk approaching 35, Jacquet sees a clearer path to first-team action at Liverpool. In contrast, Chelsea currently have several established centre-backs such as Trevoh Chalobah, Wesley Fofana, and Benoit Badiashile on their roster, making competition for spots more intense.

Liverpool’s acquisition of Jacquet addresses a long-standing need for defensive reinforcements. They had previously pursued Marc Guehi, who moved to Manchester City during the winter transfer window, prompting Slot and his team to seek alternative options. Jacquet is viewed as a significant addition for both immediate and future needs.

French football expert Julien Laurens spoke to Sky Sports about Jacquet, drawing parallels with other successful French defenders in the Premier League, such as William Saliba and Wesley Fofana. “He’s the real deal. While he may be only 20 and hasn’t yet made his mark with the national team or in European competitions, he’s shown great promise after being recalled from his loan last season and under the guidance of Habib Beye. You can’t get it wrong; he is going to be amazing!”

Liverpool will be eager to demonstrate to Jacquet that he has made the right choice as they navigate the remainder of the 2025-26 season. Currently positioned below Manchester United and Chelsea in the Premier League standings, Liverpool aims to improve their title defense while competing for Champions League qualification and other major honors at both domestic and international levels.