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Jeremy Jacquet: Why are Liverpool spending £60m on Rennes centre-back?

By Alex Carter, Senior Financial Correspondent, BBC News

Liverpool have confirmed the signing of 20-year-old French centre-back Jeremy Jacquet from Rennes in a deal worth £60m, a figure that raises immediate questions for a player largely unknown outside of France. The move represents a significant statement of intent from the Anfield club, but with Jacquet not set to arrive until the summer, it also underscores a complex strategy balancing immediate needs with long-term vision.

For a club grappling with defensive frailties and an injury crisis, the decision to commit a substantial fee for a future asset, rather than an immediate reinforcement, requires a closer look. This is not a panic buy; it is a calculated, data-backed investment that Liverpool believe will anchor their defence for the next decade.

The Deal in Detail

The transfer is one of the most significant of the winter window, not for its immediate impact, but for its financial scale and future-facing nature.

• Player: Jeremy Jacquet, 20, Centre-Back
• Clubs: Liverpool FC (buying) and Stade Rennais (selling)
• Fee: £60 million (€70m)
• Arrival Date: Summer 2026
• Contract: Five-year deal until 2031, with an option for an additional year.

The Context: Liverpool's Defensive Dilemma

Liverpool's need for defensive reinforcement is not a secret. Under manager Arne Slot, the team has shown vulnerability at the back, a problem exacerbated by persistent injuries to key defenders.

The statistics paint a clear picture. Conceding 33 goals in just 24 Premier League games this season is a record that falls short of the club's high standards and title aspirations. This backdrop makes the decision to wait for Jacquet, rather than pursuing a player for the current campaign, all the more telling.

The answer to why they couldn't secure him now is straightforward: Rennes were unwilling to sell mid-season. The French club, financially secure and ambitious, had no imperative to sanction a January departure.

Rennes' Strong Negotiating Position

Rennes were adamant that any deal for their prized asset would have to set a new club record.

• Financial Security: The Ligue 1 side was not in urgent need of the funds, allowing them to dictate the terms and timing of the sale.
• Record Fee Demand: They insisted the fee for Jacquet surpass the £55.4m they received from Manchester City for winger Jeremy Doku in 2023. The final £60m figure achieves this, cementing Jacquet as their most valuable export.

Liverpool, respecting Rennes' position and confident in their long-term target, were content to agree to a summer transfer, locking in the player now to avoid a more competitive bidding war later.

The £60m Question: A Data-Driven Investment

Committing such a fee for a 20-year-old is a major financial decision, but it aligns with Liverpool's well-established recruitment philosophy. The club's renowned data analysis department has heavily influenced the move, identifying Jacquet as a player with an exceptionally high ceiling.

Liverpool view the £60m not as an expense for a finished product, but as a strategic investment in elite potential. Their models suggest that Jacquet possesses the core attributes to develop into one of the world's best defenders, making the current fee a calculated risk with the potential for immense long-term value.

He is seen as a foundational piece for the post-van Dijk era, a player to build the backline around for years to come.

The Player: Who is Jeremy Jacquet?

Despite his youth, Jacquet has already accumulated significant top-flight experience. His career trajectory has been one of rapid, deliberate progression.

• Early Career: After a loan spell at Clermont in Ligue 2 to gain senior experience at 18, he was recalled by Rennes in January 2025.
• Breakthrough: He has since become a mainstay in the Rennes defence, making a total of 36 Ligue 1 appearances and establishing himself as one of the league's most promising talents.

According to French football expert Julien Laurens of ESPN, the hype is justified. "It's a lot of money but Jacquet has everything to become one of the best centre-backs in the world in the next few years," Laurens states. "He is arguably the best centre-back of his generation."

Strengths and Development

Jacquet's physical and mental attributes make him a modern defender's prototype.

• Physical Profile: He is described as tall, quick, and exceptionally strong, making him a formidable opponent in one-on-one situations.
• Defensive Prowess: Laurens calls him "a machine when it comes to duels in the air and on the ground." His game-reading ability is also noted as a key strength.
• Area for Improvement: While his defensive fundamentals are elite, the consensus is that his on-ball skills require refinement. "He's not a proper ball-playing centre-back yet," Laurens adds. "Technically, there is a lot to improve on, but he's a smart kid and he can get there and become like a Virgil van Dijk."

His experience playing primarily in a back-three system at Rennes also offers tactical flexibility for Arne Slot's Liverpool.

The Statistical Standout

Liverpool's data-led approach is heavily supported by Jacquet's performance metrics, particularly his aerial dominance.

• Aerial Dominance: In the 2025-26 season, Jacquet has won 75.51% of his aerial duels.
• League Leader: This figure is the highest among all defenders in Ligue 1, highlighting an elite and quantifiable skill that will be crucial in the physical Premier League.

Future Implications

For Liverpool, the signing of Jeremy Jacquet is a decisive move to future-proof their defence. While it doesn't solve their immediate problems, it secures a player they believe will be world-class, preventing a future bidding war that could have driven his price even higher.

The £60m fee reflects the current market reality, where clubs must pay a premium for young players with elite potential and a high volume of senior experience.

When he arrives at Anfield this summer, Jacquet will be expected to integrate into the first-team squad and begin the process of adapting to the Premier League. The pressure will be immense, but Liverpool are betting that their scouting, data, and a five-year contract provide the perfect foundation for their £60m investment to become the cornerstone of their defence for the foreseeable future.