Liverpool’s €70m hijack: How the Reds stunned Chelsea to sign Jeremy Jacquet

Last Updated on 2 February 2026

In a stunning turn of events during the final hours of the 2026 winter transfer window, Liverpool have reportedly reached a total agreement with Stade Rennais for the signature of 20-year-old defensive sensation Jeremy Jacquet.

The deal, which is being described as a masterclass in “shadow recruitment” by Richard Hughes and the Liverpool board, sees the Reds leapfrog Chelsea in the race for a player widely considered the most talented young center-back in Ligue 1.

The Deal: Breaking Down the €70m Package

According to transfer expert Fabrizio Romano, the “Here We Go” is officially in place. Liverpool have agreed to a financial package that rivals some of the biggest defensive transfers in Premier League history:

• Fixed Fee: €60 million (£51.5m)
• Add-ons: €10 million (£8.5m) in performance-related bonuses
• Timeline: Jacquet will remain at Rennes on loan for the remainder of the 2025/26 season, officially arriving at Anfield in June 2026.

ALSO READ: New fan footage fuels speculation over Arne Slot and Curtis Jones bust-up

The Hijack: Why Chelsea Lost Out

For weeks, the narrative suggested Jacquet was headed to Stamford Bridge. Chelsea, under new manager Liam Rosenior, had been in deep talks with the player’s camp and reportedly held a verbal agreement on personal terms.

While Chelsea were caught in protracted negotiations over the fee, Liverpool swooped in to meet Rennes’ valuation head-on.

The Reds’ ability to offer a stable environment and a clear succession plan for Virgil van Dijk (whose contract situation remains a talking point) reportedly swayed the Frenchman.

Player Profile: Everything Liverpool Fans Need to Know About Jeremy Jacquet

Standing at 191cm (6’3″), Jacquet is built for the rigors of the Premier League. However, he isn’t just a traditional “bruiser.”

Originally a midfielder in his youth at Rennes, he was moved to center-back by academy scouts who saw a unique combination of height and technical poise.

Key Attribute: Recovery pace. Despite his size, Jacquet is noted for his explosive speed over long distances, making him perfect for Arne Slot’s high defensive line.

Preferred Foot: Right

Passing Precision: He boasts a 91.1% pass completion rate, placing him in the top 5% of defenders across Europe’s top five leagues.

Aerial Dominance: He wins roughly 74% of his aerial duels, a stat that mirrors the prime numbers of Virgil van Dijk.

Defensive Interventions: With 1.8 blocks and nearly 4 clearances per 90, he is a proactive defender who “puts out fires” before they reach the box.

What This Means for Liverpool’s Defence

By securing Jacquet now for the summer, Liverpool have effectively solved a massive headache ahead of time.

With Ibrahima Konaté entering the final stages of his current deal and Giovanni Leoni sidelined with a long-term injury, the 2026 summer window was always going to be defensive-heavy.

Securing Jacquet today ensures that even if the winter window ends quietly in terms of immediate arrivals, the “Big Fish” for the summer is already in the net.

That said, the urgent need for defensive reinforcements remain unaddressed, despite the injury crisis.

With Conor Bradley out for the season and Jeremie Frimpong also picking up an injury, the Reds are without a right-back as things stand.

Liverpool opened talks with Sunderland for Lutsharel Geertruida, however, it appears that the deal has now collapsed.