Liverpool have secured 20-year-old centre-back Jeremy Jacquet for a reported £55m plus £5m in add-ons. The move strengthens depth and could push punters to back Liverpool for more clean sheets or shorter odds on under 2.5 goals when Jacquet features. Expect betting markets to react if he earns regular starts next season.
Liverpool complete £55m signing of Jeremy Jacquet
Liverpool have agreed a deal worth £55m up front plus £5m in add-ons for 20-year-old centre-back Jeremy Jacquet. The Frenchman will remain at Rennes until the end of the season before joining Arne Slot’s squad in the summer, making him one of the club’s most expensive defensive acquisitions behind only Virgil van Dijk.
Transfer details and timeline
The structure of the deal sees Jacquet finish the current campaign in France before linking up with the Liverpool squad at the start of next season. With just 55 senior appearances to his name, the fee represents a significant investment in potential rather than an immediate, proven Premier League starter.
Reaction and controversy
The signing has divided opinion, with some critics calling the fee excessive and warning it will heap pressure on the young defender. One prominent former player described the price as “ridiculous,” saying the move places intense expectations on Jacquet from the moment he arrives.
Why the criticism matters
High fees for young players prompt scrutiny because they shape public expectations and media narratives. That additional pressure can influence how quickly a new signing is judged, and how forgiving supporters and pundits are during early adaptation periods.
Recruitment strategy: long-term value over short-term fixes
Liverpool’s recruitment team has a reputation for discipline, prioritising long-term development over short-term stopgaps. Club officials reportedly view Jacquet as a centre-back with the physical and technical traits to grow into a key role under Slot’s system, rather than someone expected to deliver instant transformation.
Investment rationale
The club appears focused on securing defenders who can play a high line and initiate play from the back. Jacquet’s profile — size, pace and composure — is seen as compatible with those tactical demands, and the transfer is framed as part of an evolving defensive plan rather than a panic buy.
Jacquet’s profile and Premier League fit
Observers who have tracked Jacquet note his physical dominance and aerial strength, qualities that could translate well to English football. While comparisons to past expensive defenders are inevitable, the true measure will be how he adapts to the pace and intensity of the Premier League and integrates into Slot’s defensive unit.
Development pathway
At 20, Jacquet will likely follow a measured integration plan: acclimatisation, targeted coaching, and gradual exposure to high-pressure fixtures. The club’s expectation is for him to grow into the role over several seasons rather than becoming an immediate linchpin.
Betting implications
This signing is likely to shift certain markets. If Jacquet earns regular minutes next season, bettors may favour Liverpool in clean-sheet and goals-conceded markets, and some matches could see shorter odds for under 2.5 goals when he starts. Expect early-market moves on defensive props once the club confirms his status in preseason and the starting lineup.
Conclusion
The Jacquet transfer is a bold investment in potential that underlines Liverpool’s long-term planning. It has sparked debate over price and pressure, but the club’s strategic priorities suggest patience and development will guide his introduction. How quickly he adapts will determine whether the deal is seen as shrewd business or costly risk.
What will defender Jérémy Jacquet bring to Liverpool this summer?
Liverpool slammed over January transfer decision. Liverpool have pushed firmly into the market once again after agreeing a deal worth £55m up front plus £5m in add ons for Jeremy Jacquet. The 20 year ...
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