Liverpool have finalised the £60 million signing of France Under-21 centre-half Jérémy Jacquet from Rennes. The deal, which includes an initial £55m with £5m in add-ons, sees the 20-year-old commit to a five-year contract with an option for a further year. Liverpool beat Chelsea and Bayern Munich to the defender's signature in January, and the transfer has now been confirmed subject to international clearance.
Jacquet, who suffered a serious shoulder injury shortly after the agreement was announced, has completed a rehabilitation programme and is expected to be fit for pre-season under new head coach Andoni Iraola. He joins a defensive unit that includes Virgil van Dijk, Giovanni Leoni and Joe Gomez, with Ibrahima Konaté having left for Real Madrid at the end of his contract. The signing continues Liverpool's efforts to lower the average age of their squad.
Meanwhile, Chelsea have announced the £47m signing of Atalanta right-back Marco Palestra. The Italy international, who spent last season on loan at Cagliari, becomes the first acquisition of new manager Xabi Alonso, signing a seven-year deal until 2033. Palestra follows the departure of left-back Marc Cucurella, who moved to Real Madrid for £52m.
Palestra expressed excitement about joining Chelsea, citing the energy from the club and the opportunity to work with Alonso. He will join a squad that also includes Sporting winger Geovany Quenda and Strasbourg striker Emmanuel Emegha, who are set to arrive in previously agreed transfers.
