Liverpool completed a £60 million deal to sign highly-rated French defender Jeremy Jacquet from Rennes during the winter transfer window, with the transfer officially taking effect at the beginning of July. The 21-year-old arrives at Anfield as the replacement for fellow Frenchman Ibrahima Konaté, ensuring new head coach Andoni Iraola still has four experienced centre-backs at his disposal.
European football expert and commentator Kevin Hatchard believes Liverpool have secured one of the standout defensive signings of the window, describing the acquisition as “a real coup.”
Speaking to Empire of the Kop in partnership with WhoScored, Hatchard explained that Jacquet has long been regarded as one of France’s brightest defensive prospects and had attracted serious interest from Arsenal and Chelsea before Liverpool won the race for his signature.
He acknowledged that supporters will need to be patient, as the defender is still developing, but insisted the foundations are already in place. According to Hatchard, Jacquet is dominant in the air, composed on the ball, strong in the tackle, and possesses all the qualities needed to develop into an elite centre-back under Iraola’s guidance.
Looking further ahead, Hatchard predicted that Jacquet and Giovanni Leoni could eventually become Liverpool’s first-choice centre-back pairing once Virgil van Dijk moves on. He also believes training and playing alongside the Dutch captain will be invaluable in accelerating the youngster’s development.
Liverpool’s sizeable investment—reported to include an initial £55 million fee—reflects the club’s confidence in Jacquet’s enormous potential despite his limited senior experience. Scouts were previously said to be impressed by his maturity, composure, and leadership, qualities that stood out well beyond his years.
Iraola has already hinted that Jacquet could partner Van Dijk in the heart of Liverpool’s defence, giving the Frenchman the perfect opportunity to learn from one of the game’s finest defenders. While there will inevitably be challenges as he adapts to the Premier League, the club believes those experiences will help shape him into a top-class player.
If Jacquet fulfils his immense promise, Liverpool’s £60 million investment could eventually be viewed as outstanding value, with the young Frenchman widely tipped to become Van Dijk’s long-term successor at the heart of the Reds’ defence.
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