Arne Slot sends message to Chelsea after Liverpool sign £60m star | Football
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Liverpool secured a significant transfer by signing 20-year-old French centre-back Jeremy Jacquet from Rennes for £60 million on deadline day of the January transfer window. Chelsea, previously keen on acquiring Jacquet and prepared to spend nearly £50 million, lost out on the player who will remain with Rennes until the summer.
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Arne Slot has told Chelsea they missed out on ‘such a big talent’ after Liverpool won the transfer race for Jeremy Jacquet. The announcement was made on Thursday, just days before Liverpool’s key match against Manchester City this weekend, highlighting the significance of the signing as the club aims to strengthen its defence.
Chelsea had been poised to secure Jacquet, a 20-year-old French centre-back, with new manager Liam Rosenior reportedly keen to bring him to Stamford Bridge. However, Liverpool intervened towards the end of the January transfer window, concluding a £60 million deal with Ligue 1 side Rennes, which allows Jacquet to finish the current campaign in France before moving to Anfield.
Liverpool confirmed the deal in a statement, stating that Jacquet would complete the remainder of the season in Ligue 1 and move to Anfield in the summer on a long-term contract. Jacquet, who has made five appearances for the France under-21 side, has featured 18 times for Rennes in the top flight this season.
Jacquet’s Potential Recognised
Having made a total of 31 appearances for Rennes since his debut, Jeremy Jacquet was instrumental in helping France reach the final of the U19 European Championship in 2024. Liverpool boss Arne Slot praised the signing, stating, “He’s a very big talent… it’s a big compliment to the people working really hard to sign players.”
Slot further noted that Jacquet represents the club’s strategy of acquiring young, talented players who can contribute both in the short-term and long-term. He said, “We’ve signed a lot of them recently… the mid-long term future of this club is in a very good place.”
Upcoming Fixture and Importance of Results
Jacquet’s addition comes at a crucial time for Liverpool, who are currently sixth in the Premier League, just two points outside the top four. Ahead of their match against Manchester City on Sunday, Slot emphasised the importance of securing a positive result, highlighting the competitive nature of the Premier League as the season approaches its conclusion.