Liverpool Secure £60 Million Deal for Jeremy Jacquet, Guehi Joins Manchester City
Defender joins from Rennes as Manchester City land Marc Guehi.
Carla Rooney
Liverpool have agreed a £60 million deal for defender Jeremy Jacquet, who will join the club in the summer.
The Reds have been dealing with several injured defenders, including right-back Jeremie Frimpong, who faces weeks out with a fresh muscle tear. This strategic shift follows the January transfer window's looming deadline, with Liverpool's move to sign Jacquet coming as a response to their injury woes.
Several key defenders are currently sidelined with injuries, and the team will be looking to integrate Jacquet into their lineup as soon as possible. Meanwhile, on the ground, Liverpool's move to sign Jacquet is a timely one, and the Reds will be hoping that he can help shore up their defense and make an immediate impact.
Club leadership values Jacquet over Marc Guehi, who joined Manchester City earlier today, and prioritizes the Frenchman's youth and high ceiling for the squad's future. Jacquet initially hoped to finish the season at Rennes, but he expects a smooth transition once the final paperwork clears.
Personal terms pose no hurdle for the defender, and he is eager to join the Merseyside giants. Manchester United launched a desperate late bid on Sunday night, but their attempt to hijack the deal failed as the player held firm.
The player had already pledged his future to Liverpool.
Transfer expert Florian Plettenberg confirmed United's failed disruption, and Jacquet had already pledged his future to Liverpool. Chelsea also chased the defender throughout January, holding extensive talks with Rennes and the player's agents before the trail went cold.
Speculation regarding Mamadou Sarr's return from Strasbourg shifted Chelsea's focus, allowing Liverpool to seize the advantage. No deal exists for Sarr's early return to London, and the defender remains in France for now.
Midfielder James McConnell stays at Anfield until summer, and an injury cut his Ajax loan short, forcing a return to the club's medical wing. The squad battles a growing injury list in the backline, and Ibrahima Konate's contract talks remain stalled.
Virgil van Dijk enters the final 12 months of his current deal, and Liverpool now targets Lutsharel Geertruida to provide immediate depth. Geertruida currently plays for Sunderland on loan, and Liverpool negotiates a deal to bring him to Anfield immediately.
Manager Arne Slot demanded a deeper squad on Saturday, and he needs more bodies to compete across four major competitions. The January window shuts at 7 pm tonight, creating a pressure cooker for all outstanding business.
Jacquet expects significant playing time under Slot, and this promise of minutes swayed his decision toward the Reds. The total package for Jacquet hits £60 million, reflecting his status as one of Europe's elite young prospects.
Alessandro Bastoni fits the Liverpool system perfectly.
Former winger Jermaine Pennant urged the club to sign Alessandro Bastoni, believing the Inter Milan star fits the Liverpool system perfectly. Raheem Sterling draws interest from Tottenham, and the move could spark a chain reaction of high-profile transfers.
Spurs also battle Inter Milan for Moussa Diaby, and the market for attacking talent remains fierce and expensive. Joshua Zirkzee seeks an exit from Old Trafford, and he could move in the final hours of the deadline.
Arsenal prepares a massive bid for Julian Alvarez, aiming to shock the market with the Atletico Madrid star. Crystal Palace expects a frantic finish today, with Jean-Philippe Mateta nearing an exit while Wolves' Jorgen Strand Larsen arrives as his replacement.
Liverpool monitors Bayern Munich's Dayot Upamecano, who continues to stall on a new contract in Germany. Inter Milan offered a loan deal for Curtis Jones, with a £35 million option to buy, but the Italian giants want the midfielder.