Liverpool, the reigning English Premier League champions, have overtaken Chelsea in the race to sign French defender Jeremy Jacquet from Rennes for a fee that could reach $82 million, according to British media reports on Monday. But the 20-year-old will not move to Anfield before the end of the season, despite Liverpool's urgent need to strengthen their back line. Jacquet had previously been linked with a move to Chelsea, but reportedly backed out due to intense competition for the center-back position in the Blues' crowded squad. In contrast, Liverpool suffers from a significant shortage of central defensive options.
Dutch captain Virgil van Dijk (34 years old) and Frenchman Ibrahima Konate, whose contract expires at the end of the season, are the only two options available to Dutch coach Arne Slot, given the injuries to Joe Gomez and Italian Giovanni Leone. Jacquet, the French under-21 international, has only made 31 appearances for Rennes since being promoted to the French club's first team last season. Liverpool will reportedly pay an initial sum of £55 million, with an additional £5 million in bonuses.
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