Liverpool seal £55m permanent deal for Jacquet as Konate replacement

Liverpool have completed the signing of Jeremy Jacquet from Rennes for an initial £55m, with the deal formalised after being agreed in principle during the January transfer window. The 20-year-old French centre-back has signed a five-year contract, with an option for a sixth season, and his fee could rise to £60m through add-ons.

Jacquet’s arrival fills the void left by Ibrahima Konate, who departed on a free transfer when his contract expired and subsequently joined Real Madrid. Chelsea had also been tracking the defender, but Liverpool moved decisively in January on the condition that Jacquet would remain at Rennes for the rest of the campaign.

The timing of his arrival is significant given Liverpool’s defensive injury concerns. Fellow centre-back Giovanni Leoni has been sidelined since suffering a cruciate ligament injury on his debut against Southampton in September, leaving the club short of options alongside Joe Gomez and captain Virgil van Dijk. Jacquet himself has been ruled out since February with a dislocated shoulder but is expected to be fit in time for pre-season.

With Jacquet now in the fold, Liverpool have four senior centre-backs available — assuming Leoni’s recovery progresses as hoped — heading into the new season.

Jacquet is Liverpool’s second signing of the summer. The club earlier brought in Spain winger Victor Munoz for £34m, and they have also submitted an £86m package to RB Leipzig for midfielder Yan Diomande.