Liverpool have finalised the £60m transfer of Jérémy Jacquet from Rennes, beating Chelsea and Bayern Munich to the France Under-21 centre-half. The 20-year-old joins for an initial £55m plus £5m in add-ons, signing a five-year contract with an option for an additional year. The move, agreed in January, has now been completed subject to international clearance.
“I feel really good, the first impressions are good and I am very happy to start here,” Jacquet said. “For me it’s a big dream, it’s a big club. A club like Liverpool, it’s a big dream for me.” The defender sustained a serious shoulder injury shortly after the agreement was reached but has successfully rehabilitated and is now doing individual fitness work ahead of pre-season under new head coach Andoni Iraola.
Jacquet will compete with Virgil van Dijk, Giovanni Leoni and Joe Gomez for a centre-back berth. Leoni missed most of his debut season with an anterior cruciate ligament injury but is expected to be fit for pre-season. Ibrahima Konaté has left for Real Madrid on a free transfer. The signing continues Liverpool’s strategy to lower the average age of their squad.
Meanwhile, Chelsea have announced the £47m signing of Atalanta right-back Marco Palestra, who spent last season on loan at Cagliari. The Italy international has penned a seven-year contract until 2033, becoming the first signing under new manager Xabi Alonso. “I’m very excited to get started,” Palestra said. “He has spoken to me about how he wants us to play, which is exciting.”
Palestra’s arrival follows the £52m departure of left-back Marc Cucurella to Real Madrid. Chelsea also have previously agreed deals for Sporting winger Geovany Quenda and Strasbourg striker Emmanuel Emegha set to be completed this summer.
