Liverpool have officially completed the £60m signing of Jérémy Jacquet from Rennes, while Chelsea have announced the £47m acquisition of Atalanta right-back Marco Palestra. Both transfers were finalised on Wednesday subject to international clearance.
Jacquet, a 20-year-old France Under-21 centre-half, joins for an initial £55m with £5m in add-ons and has signed a five-year contract with an option for a further year. “I feel really good, the first impressions are good and I am very happy to start here,” he 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 Liverpool’s agreement was announced in January but has completed rehabilitation and is now doing individual fitness work. He is expected to be fit for the start of Andoni Iraola’s first pre-season as head coach, joining Virgil van Dijk, Giovanni Leoni and Joe Gomez as centre-back options. Leoni is also recovering from an anterior cruciate ligament injury suffered on his debut.
Palestra moves from Atalanta to Chelsea after a successful loan at Cagliari, becoming the first signing under new manager Xabi Alonso. The Italy international has signed a seven-year contract until 2033. “I’m very excited to get started. I’ve felt the energy since the first day Chelsea wanted me,” he said.
The arrival of Palestra follows the departure of left-back Marc Cucurella to Real Madrid for £52m. Chelsea have also completed previously agreed deals for Sporting winger Geovany Quenda and Strasbourg striker Emmanuel Emegha this summer.
