Jeremy Jacquet set for Liverpool medical today; £55m + £5m fee agreed with Rennes

Rennes defender Jeremy Jacquet is set to undergo a medical ahead of a proposed summer move to Liverpool as the club presses ahead with plans for long-term defensive reinforcement.

The 20-year-old is scheduled to arrive in the north west of England on Monday to complete formal checks before finalising the transfer.

Liverpool have agreed a deal worth £55 million plus a further £5 million in add-ons, with personal terms not expected to present any obstacles.

Jacquet is set to sign a contract running until 2031, with the option of a further 12 months.

The move will not see the centre-back join immediately, with Liverpool planning for Jacquet to arrive at Anfield ahead of next season.

Liverpool have prioritised securing the defender early amid strong interest from elsewhere in Europe.

Chelsea held talks with Rennes earlier in the window but are not expected to match Liverpool’s offer.

Arsenal have also tracked Jacquet closely in the past, holding long-standing interest following his development in France.

Liverpool’s pursuit reflects a broader strategy focused on building for the next generation rather than short-term fixes.

The club missed out on Marc Guehi last summer before the England international joined Manchester City in January.

Jacquet is viewed internally as a higher-ceiling acquisition within Liverpool’s recruitment model.

The France Under-21 international came through the academy at Rennes and has rapidly established himself at senior level.

He has started every Ligue 1 match for which he has been available this season.

Before his red card against Paris Saint-Germain in December, Jacquet had played every minute of the campaign.

His composure, physical presence and reading of the game have drawn praise across Ligue 1.

Those qualities have convinced Liverpool he can develop into a leading central defender over the coming years.

The move comes against the backdrop of uncertainty in Liverpool’s defensive unit.

Injuries to Joe Gomez and Giovanni Leoni have stretched depth at centre-back this season.

Virgil van Dijk and Ibrahima Konate have carried the bulk of the workload.

Konate’s contract is also set to expire in the summer, adding urgency to Liverpool’s planning.

Jacquet is not being signed as an immediate replacement but as part of a phased transition.

Liverpool believe early integration will give him the best chance to adapt to the Premier League.

The club have followed a similar approach with recent high-profile additions.

Signings such as Florian Wirtz, Hugo Ekitike, Milos Kerkez and Alexander Isak underline that direction.

Jacquet is considered a key piece in that evolving structure.

The medical represents the final major step before the move is confirmed.