Liverpool's €72m Jacquet deal: a defensive gamble in a tight market

Liverpool have completed the signing of 20‑year‑old centre‑back Jeremy Jacquet from Stade Rennes for a base fee of €60 million that can increase to €72 million with bonuses, and the French defender has agreed a contract running to mid‑2031 with a further one‑year option, saying he is ‘very happy with my move’. The agreement, reached in January, sees Stade Rennes receive a base fee of €60 million, with performance‑related bonuses that could lift the total to €72 million. Jacquet has signed a contract that runs to the middle of 2031, with an option for an additional year. ‘I am very happy with my move,’ the French defender said, adding that his first impressions are positive and he cannot wait to start. He described the transfer as a dream coming true and called Liverpool a ‘giant club’.

Learning from a legend: Jacquet on joining Van Dijk at Liverpool

Jacquet will give manager Andoni Iraola more depth in central defence, joining the options of Virgil van Dijk and Joe Gomez. The addition comes as Liverpool look to reinforce a back line that lost Ibrahima Konaté to Real Madrid. Ibrahima Konaté’s departure to Real Madrid was confirmed earlier this week, leaving a vacancy in the defensive line. Meanwhile, 19‑year‑old Giovanni Leoni, signed from Parma last summer, remains sidelined with a serious knee injury. Jacquet progressed through Rennes’ youth academy and broke into the first team as a right‑footed centre‑back. He has made 33 appearances for the French club and is awaiting his debut with the France national team. Liverpool announced the signing today, confirming the €60 million base fee and the potential €72 million total.