Liverpool Secures Jacquet Transfer Amidst Chelsea Competition

omidbasir- Liverpool Football Club has reportedly reached an agreement to sign defender Jacquet, fending off competition from Chelsea. The total deal is valued at £60 million, with Jacquet remaining on loan at Rennes for the remainder of the current season.

Rennes’ manager, Beye, refrained from confirming the transfer but provided insight into the negotiations that led to Liverpool’s proposal being accepted. He stated, “I don’t want to comment on something that is not yet real. It’s supposition. 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 expressed disappointment that Rennes could not persuade the young talent to stay, commenting, “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 compete.”

Jacquet has made 31 appearances for Rennes and earned five caps with the France Under-21 team. Liverpool legend Jamie Carragher has suggested that Jacquet may replace Ibrahima Konate in the future.

Carragher remarked, “Yes, I am pleased they have made a signing in that area. Liverpool needs reinforcements in that position, particularly this summer. It appears Konate may be moving on, as he has not yet signed a contract, so they are acquiring young centre-backs for the future.”

He expressed some frustration regarding the timing of the transfer, saying, “Yes, there is some frustration that the deal isn’t effective immediately. However, when negotiating with Rennes, it’s part of the agreement that the player remains until the end of the season. They do not want to disrupt their current campaign in France.”

Carragher continued, “While I understand the frustration, he is their player, and Liverpool has paid a significant fee for him. This indicates a positive future for the centre-back position, though they urgently need to address pressing issues in the present.”

Liverpool’s successful bid for Jacquet has come despite Chelsea’s interest. The Blues were reportedly leading the chase for his signature and had engaged in discussions with the player and his representatives. However, they ultimately decided not to match Liverpool’s offer.

Sky Sports noted that although Chelsea had proposed the same terms as Liverpool, the recent developments regarding Mamadou Sarr’s return to Chelsea and Josh Acheampong’s retention led Jacquet to favor a move to Liverpool.

Liverpool is set to face Manchester City in their next Premier League match. Currently positioned sixth in the league table with 39 points, they are 14 points behind leaders Arsenal and are in urgent need of a victory to strengthen their Champions League qualification aspirations.