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Medical done: Liverpool a step closer to finalising £60m transfer

✇CaughtOffside
By:Mark Brus

Liverpool have reportedly taken another step closer to signing Rennes centre-back Jeremy Jacquet, who has now had his medical with the Reds.

The talented 20-year-old has been the subject of a lot of interest this winter, with the Athletic reporting on his medical with Liverpool being scheduled.

And now Mike McGrath of the Telegraph has posted on X that that medical has now been done, with Jacquet all set to join Liverpool for a potential £60m package in the summer.

See below for details as the Jacquet to Liverpool deal now looks all but done…

Jérémy Jacquet has completed his medical at Liverpool. The 20yr centre-back will join #LFC in £60m deal, with £55m up front and join in the summer after completing the season with Rennes

????https://t.co/nvidt3eGgn

— Mike McGrath (@mcgrathmike) February 2, 2026

McGrath posted: “Jérémy Jacquet has completed his medical at Liverpool. The 20yr centre-back will join #LFC in £60m deal, with £55m up front and join in the summer after completing the season with Rennes.”

Liverpool beat Chelsea to Jeremy Jacquet transfer

Chelsea were also in the mix for Jacquet earlier in this transfer window, but a deal seemingly couldn’t be agreed.

Sky Sports’ Kaveh Solhekol had posted about the Blues pursuing the young defender, with Rennes’ preference always being to keep him until the summer.

Perhaps this ended up being the key detail, as LFC have clearly allowed Jacquet to remain with the Ligue 1 club for a few more months.

Jeremy Jacquet in action for Rennes
Jeremy Jacquet in action for Rennes

Chelsea, by contrast, looked like they really needed a new defender now, and this led to them recalling Mamadou Sarr from his loan spell at Strasbourg.

Liverpool fans will be delighted to see their club move quickly to hijack the deal and secure the services of one of the most highly regarded young defenders in Europe.

Arne Slot looks like he could do with a signing like this for the near future, with Virgil van Dijk not getting any younger, while Ibrahima Konate is coming towards the end of his contract this summer.

The post Medical done: Liverpool a step closer to finalising £60m transfer appeared first on CaughtOffside.

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Man United accept defeat in defender chase with Premier League rivals winning the race

✇CaughtOffside
By:Ahad Shaukat

Liverpool have successfully fended off a dramatic late attempt from Manchester United to hijack the transfer of highly rated Rennes defender Jérémy Jacquet, sealing what is increasingly viewed as one of the most strategic defensive signings of the window.

According to journalist Florian Plettenberg, Man United made a last-ditch push in the final hours to tempt Jacquet away from Liverpool, but the move came too late.

By that stage, Liverpool already had a full agreement in place with both the player and Stade Rennais, leaving little room for disruption.

Why Liverpool won the battle for Jérémy Jacquet

Jacquet, 20, has been one of the most talked-about young defenders in Europe in recent weeks, with Chelsea also strongly linked amid their defensive injury concerns.

The French centre-back’s composure in possession, physical presence, and tactical maturity have led many scouts to tip him as a future world-class defender.

While Chelsea explored an ambitious move, it was Liverpool who acted with clarity and conviction.

Sources close to the deal suggest the Reds outlined a clear pathway to first-team football, backed by a long-term sporting project that appealed strongly to Jacquet and his representatives.

Fabrizio Romano has since confirmed that Liverpool’s move is fully agreed with both Rennes and the player, showing how advanced the deal was before United’s late interest emerged.

✅ Aerial Play
✅ Ball Distribution
✅ Spatial Awareness
✅ Aggression
✅ Tackling

A 1.90m tall CB with plenty of room for improvement and one of the best U21 talents in the Big-5 leagues.

What a move for Liverpool.

JÉRÉMY JACQUET (20) 🇫🇷✨

pic.twitter.com/n751FEwZBi

— Rising Stars XI (@RisingStarXI) February 1, 2026

Man United are concerned about their defense

Jeremy Jacquet in action for Rennes
Jeremy Jacquet in action for Rennes (Instagram)

United’s eleventh-hour approach is telling. Despite having several centre-back options in the squad, there is a growing sense inside Old Trafford that defensive depth remains an issue.

One factor believed to have influenced United’s interest is the uncertain future of Harry Maguire, who is set to become a free agent at the end of the season.

With Maguire’s contract situation unresolved and potential exits being discussed internally, United appear to be scanning the market for younger, long-term solutions.

Liverpool’s early planning and decisive execution made the difference.

By the time Man United entered the race, Jérémy Jacquet’s future was already mapped out.

Man United eye 24-year-old South American as rivals brace for late January move 

The post Man United accept defeat in defender chase with Premier League rivals winning the race appeared first on CaughtOffside.

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Medical booked: Liverpool edge closer to statement defensive signing

✇CaughtOffside
By:Ahad Shaukat

Liverpool are closing in on one of their most significant long-term defensive investments, with Jérémy Jacquet travelling to the North West today to complete the final stages of his move from Stade Rennais.

The update was confirmed by respected journalist David Ornstein, who reports that all parties are working to finalise the deal, with a medical scheduled to take place imminently.

The 20-year-old defender is set to sign a long-term contract at Liverpool, committing his future until June 2031, with the option of a further one-year extension.

The agreement shows Liverpool’s confidence in Jacquet’s potential, with the club viewing him as a cornerstone of their defensive plans for the next decade.

Structure of the deal and long term vision

The transfer has been agreed already, with Liverpool set to pay an initial £55 million, plus a further £5 million in add-ons, from the summer of 2026.

This structure reflects Liverpool’s careful financial planning while allowing Rennes to maximise value for one of their most prized assets.

Jacquet’s rise at Rennes has been rapid. Having broken into the first team at a young age, he has earned plaudits for his composure, his talent and his future potential.

Liverpool beat Premier League rivals Chelsea

Jeremy Jacquet of Rennes
Jeremy Jacquet of Rennes.

Liverpool’s decisive move comes after strong interest from several Premier League rivals, most notably Chelsea and Manchester United.

Chelsea had explored the deal earlier in the window but ultimately pulled back due to internal squad considerations, while United were reported to have made a late attempt to hijack the transfer.

Liverpool’s advantage lay in early engagement and clarity. The club presented Jacquet with a clear pathway to first-team involvement, alongside a long-term sporting project built around sustained competitiveness domestically and in Europe.

That vision proved decisive in convincing both the player and Rennes.

“Let’s see what the future holds” – Liverpool star casts doubt over Anfield future with concerning comments 

The post Medical booked: Liverpool edge closer to statement defensive signing appeared first on CaughtOffside.

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Why Chelsea decided to take a step back in Jacquet pursuit as Liverpool wins race

✇CaughtOffside
By:Ahad Shaukat

Chelsea have cooled their interest in Jérémy Jacquet following a significant shift in circumstances over the past 48 hours, clearing the path for Liverpool to move decisively for the Rennes defender.

The update was provided by well-connected journalist Ben Jacobs, who revealed how quickly the balance of the deal has swung in Liverpool’s favour.

Jacquet has been on the radar of several Premier League clubs after an impressive rise in Stade Rennais colours, but Liverpool’s groundwork has proven decisive.

The Reds are understood to have opened dialogue more than three weeks ago before ramping up negotiations in recent days, pushing to pre-agree terms and move swiftly towards completion.

That decisive approach has now paid off, with Jacquet’s medical scheduled to take place on Monday.

Why Chelsea pulled back from moving for Jacquet

From Chelsea’s perspective, the change has been driven more by internal planning than by any sudden doubts over Jacquet’s quality.

The club were fully aware of Rennes’ valuation and, crucially, did not see personal terms as a stumbling block. However, developments within Chelsea’s own defensive department have altered the equation.

The impending return of Mamadou Sarr from his loan spell at RC Strasbourg has bolstered depth at centre-back, reducing the urgency to recruit externally.

At the same time, Chelsea remain keen to protect the pathway of highly rated academy talent Josh Acheampong, who is viewed internally as a long-term option rather than a player to be blocked by another young signing.

With no appetite to sell Acheampong and a reluctance to overcrowd the position, Chelsea have now stepped away from the deal entirely, allowing Liverpool a clear run.

Liverpool now ready to take final steps

Jeremy Jacquet in action for Rennes
Jeremy Jacquet in action for Rennes.

For Liverpool, Jacquet fits neatly into their long-term recruitment strategy.

The club have been actively planning for the future of their defensive unit, blending experience with emerging talent capable of becoming world class.

Liverpool see Jacquet as both a short-term reinforcement and a long-term asset, particularly with the club keen to stay competitive domestically and in Europe.

With a medical now imminent, Jacquet looks set to become the latest example of Liverpool’s ambitious approach paying dividends in the transfer market.

Liverpool & Chelsea among clubs to hold talks with soon-to-be free agent defender 

The post Why Chelsea decided to take a step back in Jacquet pursuit as Liverpool wins race appeared first on CaughtOffside.

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“Liverpool absolutely in the race” – Romano confirms deal is in ‘very final stages’

✇CaughtOffside
By:Mehdi Gokal

Liverpool are absolutely in the race to sign Jeremy Jacquet, as transfer expert Fabrizio Romano reveals the battle for the French defender has reached its “very final stages.”

While Chelsea have long been considered the frontrunners, the Reds have emerged as a serious threat to hijack the deal, with negotiations intensifying just 24 hours before the February transfer deadline.

According to Romano, Liverpool’s interest is far from a last-minute whim. Writing on X, he stated:

“Liverpool are absolutely IN the race not from today or yesterday, it all started 20 days ago as revealed. Chelsea been negotiating for weeks as well.”

?? The race for Jeremy Jacquet reaches very final stages to agree deal now for June 2026. ?

Liverpool are absolutely IN the race not from today or yesterday, it all started 20 days ago as revealed.

Chelsea been negotiating for weeks as well.

? https://t.co/EoxacrfYHr pic.twitter.com/e3jhmejinh

— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) February 1, 2026

Liverpool and Chelsea going head-to-head to sign Jeremy Jacquet

The two Premier League giants are now locked in a direct tug-of-war for the 20-year-old centre-back, who has been dubbed one of the most promising defensive talents in Ligue 1.

While Bayern Munich was previously linked, Romano suggests the German champions are now “unlikely” to pursue a deal, leaving a clear path for a move to England.

Chelsea have reportedly already agreed on personal terms with the player, but Richard Hughes and the Liverpool recruitment team are leveraging their long-standing interest to tilt the scales.

With Rennes holding out for a fee in the region of €50m (£43m), the coming hours will determine which club secures the “green light” from the French side.

Jeremy JACQUET of Stade Rennais during the Ligue 1 McDonald's match between Monaco and Rennes at Stade Louis II on January 31, 2026 in Monaco, Monaco.
(Photo by Ewen Gavet/Icon Sport via Getty Images)

A signing for the future, not a fix for the present

However, despite the late-night excitement, there is a significant catch for Arne Slot. Jeremy Jacquet is a signing for July 2026 and will not provide immediate relief for Liverpool’s current defensive crisis.

Rennes have remained resolute that they will not sanction a winter departure, insisting that any agreement reached now must see the player remain in France until the end of the season.

This news is a bitter pill for Liverpool fans, who had hoped a new centre-back would arrive to cover for the injured Joe Gomez and Giovanni Leoni.

While Jacquet would represent a major investement for the future, he offers no help for the title run-in over the next four months.

 

The post “Liverpool absolutely in the race” – Romano confirms deal is in ‘very final stages’ appeared first on CaughtOffside.

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Romano: Liverpool & Chelsea locked in race for defensive target as Bayern move is ruled out

✇CaughtOffside
By:Ahad Shaukat

According to transfer news expert Fabrizio Romano, top clubs are involved in the race to sign Rennes defender Jeremy Jacquet.

As things stand, Liverpool and Chelsea are both understood to be in active dialogue with Rennes and the player’s representatives, as they explore the framework of a future transfer rather than an immediate move.

Sources close to the situation indicate that Bayern Munich are currently unlikely to pursue the deal, leaving the contest largely centred on England.

Crucially, Rennes are determined to retain Jacquet until at least July 2026, a stance that has shaped the negotiations.

Rennes are destined to lose Jacquet in the future

The Ligue 1 side view the highly rated centre-back as a core part of their medium-term project and are reluctant to weaken their defensive depth in the short term.

Any agreement reached now would therefore be structured as a delayed transfer, allowing Rennes to continue benefitting from his development while securing long-term financial clarity.

Jacquet has steadily established himself as one of the most promising young defenders in French football.

During the 2025/26 season, he has featured regularly across Ligue 1 and domestic cup competitions, logging significant minutes for a player of his age.

His strengths lie in his positional awareness, aerial timing, and calm distribution under pressure.

Data from Ligue 1 this season places him among Rennes’ most reliable defenders for duel success and progressive passes, showing his growing tactical maturity.

Liverpool & Chelsea both are battling for the youngster

Jeremy Jacquet in action for Rennes
Jeremy Jacquet in action for Rennes.

Liverpool’s interest fits neatly with their longer-term squad planning. With the club increasingly focused on refreshing its defensive options over the next two windows, Jacquet is viewed as a high-ceiling investment rather than an immediate starter.

The uncertain future of defender Ibrahima Konate is forcing the Reds to look for a new defender in the market. Not to forget they also lost out on signing of Marc Guehi, who recently joined Manchester City.

Chelsea, meanwhile, continue to track elite young profiles across Europe, and Jacquet’s age, contract situation, and development curve make him a natural fit for their recruitment model.

While no final decision is imminent, the fact that talks are ongoing at this stage highlights just how highly Jacquet is rated across the market.

Real Madrid ready to cash in, €70m star sparks Arsenal vs Liverpool transfer war 

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‘Expect developments…’: Chelsea could make breakthrough regarding January signing today

✇CaughtOffside
By:Saikat

Rennes defender Jeremy Jacquet has been linked with a move this month, and Chelsea are keen on securing his signature.

According to a report from Kaveh Solhekol, the 20-year-old defender only wants to join Chelsea, and he has already agreed on personal terms with the London club.

It will be interesting to see if the Blues can close the deal this month. They are in desperate need of defensive reinforcements, and the 20-year-old would be a solid long-term acquisition. He has proven himself to be one of the brightest young defensive prospects in Ligue 1, and he has the quality to thrive in the Premier League as well.

Will Chelsea progress the Jacquet deal today?

Chelsea and Rennes will be in action on Saturday evening, and the Sky Sports reporter has revealed that there could be developments after their respective matches.

He wrote: “Jeremy Jacquet only wants to sign for Chelsea. Personal terms have been fully agreed. Both Chelsea and Rennes are playing on Saturday evening. Expect developments after the games.“

Chelsea will certainly hope to get the deal across the line before the window closes. He would be a long-term acquisition for them.

Jeremy Jacquet could be a superb signing

Jeremy Jacquet in action for Rennes
Jeremy Jacquet in action for Rennes (Instagram)

The Blues need to tighten up at the back if they want to do well during the second half of the campaign. They will be desperate to secure Champions League qualification for the upcoming campaign. They have had multiple injury issues at the back, and players like Axel Disasi and Benoit Badiashile have fallen out of favour. Chelsea will need to replace them, and signing the young Frenchman would be ideal.

The defender has also been linked to clubs like Liverpool, but it seems he is determined to move to London. The development will come as a blow to the Premier League champions and will certainly give Chelsea the encouragement to wrap up the formalities soon.

The post ‘Expect developments…’: Chelsea could make breakthrough regarding January signing today appeared first on CaughtOffside.

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