Liverpool have agreed a pre-contract deal worth an initial £55 million plus £5 million in add-ons for Rennes centre-back Jeremy Jacquet, according to reports. The 20-year-old will remain in France for the remainder of the season before joining Arne Slot's squad in the summer.
Manchester United reportedly made a late attempt to derail the transfer on Sunday evening, but failed as Jacquet had already committed to Liverpool. The defender chose Anfield over Chelsea, believing he would have better opportunities there.
Jacquet becomes the second central defender to move to Liverpool from Europe in recent years, following Giovanni Leoni's £26m transfer from Parma last year. He is keen to stay at Rennes to help them secure European football; the club currently sits sixth in Ligue 1.
Liverpool manager Arne Slot indicated over the weekend that the club's focus is on strengthening the squad rather than selling. Despite links with Curtis Jones and Andrew Robertson, no departures have materialised.
