Get to know Jérémy Jacquet, the promising young defender valued at 60 million euros and the prospective new Liverpool player. Who is he? Why are Liverpool, Arsenal, and Chelsea competing to sign him?","tags":["Jérémy Jacquet","Liverpool","football transfers"]},{
On 2 February 2026, Jérémy Jacquet, born 13 July 2005 and currently 20 years old, is a rising French defender standing 190 cm tall. Right-footed, he plays as a center-back. He currently plays for Rennes in France's Ligue 1 and is part of France's under-21 national team.
Jacquet's football journey began at the Clermont Foot academy, where he played one match for their B team before moving to Rennes' under-19 side. There, he performed well, appearing in 10 matches and scoring 2 goals.
He then returned to play for Clermont Foot's first team, making 22 appearances with 2 goals and 2 assists. Afterwards, he moved back to Rennes' B team, playing 31 matches with 3 goals, and was promoted to Rennes' first team for the 2025/26 season.
In the current season, Jacquet has played 18 Ligue 1 matches, totaling over 1,600 minutes, showcasing impressive defensive skills and ball distribution.
He boasts a high pass accuracy rate of 91%.
His long pass completion rate stands at 57%.
He wins over 70% of aerial duels.
He also has outstanding statistics in interceptions and shot blocks.
These performances have made him one of the most closely watched young talents in France, attracting interest from major Premier League clubs.
According to a report by The Athletic on 18 January, Chelsea was the first club to officially open talks with Rennes to sign the defender after his consistent performances this season. He has started nearly every game when fit, usually completing the full 90 minutes, except for a suspension following a red card against Paris Saint-Germain on 6 December.
Meanwhile, Arsenal has been monitoring Jacquet's development continuously since he was loaned to Clermont Foot in Ligue 2, where he impressed, and further improved upon returning to Rennes' top-flight side. He secured a starting position in the second half of the 2024/25 season.
Previously, Jacquet was mentioned as a target for the 'Gunners,' but the club ultimately chose to sign Christian Mosquera from Valencia in the last summer transfer window instead.
Jacquet's playing style is considered mature beyond his years, marked by calmness, composure, and confidence in defense. He is regarded as a 'classic' defender who combines game reading with excellent timing. Besides his aerial strength, he can carry the ball out from the back to initiate attacks effectively.
With his continuous rapid development, Jacquet is regarded as one of Europe's most promising young defenders and has become a target for several top clubs.
Recently, Liverpool moved quickly amid ongoing defensive injury issues, deciding to close the deal early before the summer transfer window, which was expected to become a competitive market for his signature.
According to Fabrizio Romano, Liverpool has reached an agreement to sign Jérémy Jacquet from Rennes for 60 million euros, with an additional 10 million euros in add-ons. The player will officially join the club in June 2026, with personal terms already finalized.
This deal not only reflects Liverpool's long-term planning but also underscores Jacquet as a highly anticipated future star expected to become a new defensive pillar in European football in the near future.