Liverpool have made one of the most intriguing defensive investments of the summer by agreeing a £60m deal for Rennes centre-back Jérémy Jacquet, a move that positions the 20-year-old as a potential long-term successor to Virgil van Dijk. The fee underlines how highly Liverpool rate Jacquet’s ceiling, while also reflecting the premium placed on young, two-way defenders who can dominate physically and build play under pressure.
Jacquet’s rise has not been linear. After losing a significant chunk of development time—18 months away from regular football—he has moved quickly to reclaim momentum, returning to Rennes after a loan spell at Clermont and accelerating through the levels that typically take a young centre-half seasons to navigate. The speed of his rebound has been central to the growing belief that he is ready for the Premier League’s pace and scrutiny. Details of his path back, the recall timeline, and the reported £60m price tag were outlined by Get French Football News when discussing why Liverpool see him as a future elite defender.
Why Liverpool think he fits
Jacquet’s appeal is built on balance. Liverpool’s recruitment has long prioritised centre-backs who can defend big spaces while also contributing to first-phase build-up. Jacquet is viewed as a “complete” modern defender: proactive stepping into duels, composed when holding the line, and confident enough to break pressure with carrying or progressive passing.
In France, comparisons have been framed in flattering historical terms—his defensive authority likened to Marcel Desailly, with a nod to Laurent Blanc’s distribution and calm creativity. Those are heavyweight reference points, but they speak to the profile Liverpool are buying: a centre-back expected to win his battles and start attacks, not merely survive them.
The Rennes pipeline that sharpened him
Rennes’ academy reputation is already established, but Jacquet emerged from a particularly productive cohort. The club’s 2005 generation has been described as exceptional, featuring talents such as Désiré Doué, Mathys Tel, Jeanuël Belocian and Lesley Ugochukwu—players who have either moved on or are expected to do so, with Jacquet now joining that outbound list. According to Get French Football News, the environment of elite peers pushing each other daily played a meaningful role in raising standards and accelerating readiness for the top level.
Infographic: Jacquet at a glance
Age: 20
Position: Centre-back
From: Rennes
To: Liverpool
Reported fee: £60m
Style notes: Front-foot defender + progressive distributor
What comes next at Anfield
Becoming “the heir to Van Dijk” is a headline-sized burden, not a job title. Liverpool will likely manage Jacquet’s introduction carefully—minutes in cup competitions, selective league exposure, and tactical schooling alongside senior defenders—while asking him to preserve the defining qualities that made him a premium purchase: authority in duels, calm in possession, and the nerve to defend high.
If Jacquet translates his Ligue 1 promise to the Premier League quickly, Liverpool may have secured not only a talented young centre-back, but a foundational piece for the next cycle of their defence.
Key Takeaways
- Liverpool’s reported £60m move for Jacquet signals belief he can become a long-term defensive cornerstone.
- Jacquet’s rapid rise follows a period of lost development time, making his recent acceleration stand out.
- He is valued as a “complete” centre-back: aggressive defending paired with progressive build-up play.
- Rennes’ renowned academy—and a strong 2005 cohort—helped shape his readiness for a major step up.
