Liverpool Clinch £60m Jacquet Signing Amidst Chelsea Battle
Liverpool have emerged victorious in a high-stakes transfer race against Premier League rivals Chelsea to secure the signature of French defender Jeremy Jacquet on deadline day. The deal, valued at a total of £60 million, has nevertheless drawn fierce criticism from a former French international who has accused the Merseyside club of having "lost their minds" over the excessive fee.
Details of the Anfield Agreement
The transfer involves a guaranteed payment of £55 million to Rennes, with potential add-ons that could raise the total to £60 million. Jacquet successfully completed his medical examination on Monday, and Liverpool have officially confirmed that the 20-year-old centre-back will join the club on July 1st. The young defender has committed to a five-year contract at Anfield, which includes an option for an additional year, securing his long-term future with the Reds.
Rapid Rise and European Interest
Jeremy Jacquet's ascent has been remarkably swift. Just twelve months ago, he was on loan in the French second division before being recalled by Rennes and integrated into their first-team squad. Since then, he has made a total of 36 appearances in Ligue 1 and will complete the current season with his parent club before his summer move. His performances attracted significant and longstanding interest from Chelsea and several other major European clubs, highlighting his status as one of the continent's most promising defensive talents.
Scathing Critique from a World Cup Winner
Despite the widespread admiration for Jacquet's abilities, the financial terms of the deal have provoked a blistering attack from former French forward Christophe Dugarry. The 1998 World Cup winner did not mince his words when discussing the transfer on RMC Sport, bluntly labelling Liverpool as "suckers" for agreeing to the £60 million fee.
"This isn't meant to offend the player; honestly, he's not to blame at all, and we wish him all the best because he's a good player. When you have suckers like that, well done to Rennes," Dugarry stated. "Rennes managed to find a sucker like Liverpool for 72 million euros."
Dugarry intensified his criticism when comparisons were made to Manchester United's £52 million acquisition of Leny Yoro in the summer of 2024. "Very well, but look at the result," he argued. "Let them continue, all these English clubs, sending tens of millions of euros. This isn't just a two-tiered football situation anymore, it's a football that's lost its mind."
Concerns Over Pressure and Market Sanity
The former international expressed deep concern about the immense pressure the transfer fee will place on the young defender's shoulders. "And even for poor little Jacquet, this transfer is going to put a lot of pressure on him. Even him, the poor kid, who is certainly a very good player, is going to arrive with a pall of pressure," Dugarry lamented. He warned that Jacquet's performances would now be scrutinised under a different, harsher lens, regardless of his actual merits on the pitch.
Dugarry dismissed any attempts to rationalise the expenditure, stating, "Those of us who know football, let's not try to justify this amount by saying it's because Liverpool has money or whatever. It's meaningless. I don't know what's going on, it's ridiculous. No, it's not supply and demand. It's ridiculous, it's ridiculous."
Liverpool's Defensive Strategy and Player Preference
Despite the controversy surrounding the fee, Liverpool's pursuit of Jacquet was driven by a clear strategic need to bolster their defensive options for the future. The club is preparing for the eventual succession of veteran defender Virgil van Dijk, who turns 35 in July, and there are ongoing doubts about the long-term future of Ibrahima Konaté, whose contract expires in the summer.
Liverpool had previously invested £26 million in Italian youngster Giovanni Leoni during the summer, but the 18-year-old is currently sidelined, recovering from an anterior cruciate ligament injury sustained on his debut. This context made securing a top-tier defensive prospect like Jacquet even more imperative for the club's planning.
Crucially, the player himself was reportedly keen on a move to Anfield, believing that Liverpool offered a superior career pathway compared to Chelsea. This personal preference ultimately helped Liverpool accelerate their long-term interest over the weekend and secure the signature of a player widely regarded as an outstanding central defensive prospect across Europe.
