Anfield welcomes new defender

Liverpool has officially completed the signing of central defender Jeremy Jacquet from Rennes in a deal valued at £60m. The France Under-21 international, who is 20 years old, has signed a five-year contract with the option of an additional year at Anfield. The agreement for the transfer was initially reached in January, with Jacquet undergoing a medical on Deadline Day in February.

The fee for Jacquet includes an initial payment of £55m, with a further £5m potentially payable in performance-related add-ons. Despite interest from other prominent European clubs, including Chelsea and Bayern Munich, Jacquet chose to move to Liverpool.

Upon his arrival, Jacquet expressed his enthusiasm, stating, “I feel really good, the first impressions are good and I am very happy to start here. I am very happy. When I see the facilities, I can see myself there. I feel good here and I am very excited to get started. For me it’s a big dream, it’s a big club. A club like Liverpool, it’s a big dream for me.”

Fitness and squad integration

Although Jacquet sustained a shoulder injury earlier in the year, shortly after the initial agreement in January, he has since completed a rehabilitation programme. He is currently engaged in individual fitness work and is expected to be available for the start of pre-season training. Liverpool players are scheduled to return on 14 July before travelling to the US on 20 July for a pre-season tour.

Jacquet will join Liverpool’s first-team squad as one of the central defensive options. He will be alongside Virgil van Dijk, Joe Gomez, and Giovanni Leoni under the new head coach Andoni Iraola. This move comes after Ibrahima Konate departed the club to join Real Madrid following the expiration of his contract this summer.

Giovanni Leoni, who is 19 years old, also suffered an anterior cruciate ligament injury on his debut at Anfield, which ended his season. He is continuing his fitness and rehabilitation work, and while no specific return date has been set, Liverpool anticipates his involvement in pre-season at some point.

The acquisition of Jacquet aligns with Liverpool’s strategy of identifying and recruiting emerging elite talent. The club has focused on lowering the average age of its first-team squad, with the average age of their first-team signings over the last two transfer windows being lower than 22.

Expert opinions on the new signing

French football expert Julien Laurens described Jacquet as “the real deal,” despite his young age and lack of experience in the Champions League or Europa League. Laurens noted Jacquet’s impressive performance last season after being recalled from a loan spell in the second division, drawing comparisons to the early careers of William Saliba and Wesley Fofana.

European football expert Kevin Hatchard, discussing Jacquet on Sky Sports News, highlighted his status as a rising star who has captained numerous France youth groups. Hatchard praised Jacquet’s attributes as a modern centre-back, including his ability on the ball, passing range, athleticism, and aerial prowess. However, Hatchard also pointed out that Jacquet does not have an extensive record in top-level football, having primarily played for Rennes this season after a successful loan at Clermont.

Rennes’ coach, Habib Beye, reportedly stated that allowing Jacquet to leave would necessitate downgrading the club’s goals for the season, underscoring the high regard in which he was held at his former club. Jacquet came through the Rennes academy and made 33 appearances for the French Ligue 1 side.

Liverpool’s new signing is expected to be a key part of the team’s defensive future, with his availability anticipated for the start of pre-season training.

Source: skysports.com

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