Liverpool sign defender Jeremy Jacquet from Rennes in £55m transfer deal
Liverpool have completed the permanent signing of French defender Jeremy Jacquet from Rennes for an initial fee of £55m.
The 20-year-old originally agreed to the switch during the January transfer window but remained in France for the rest of the campaign.
He has now put pen to paper on a five-year contract at Anfield, which includes an option for a further 12 months.
The overall package for the highly-rated centre-back could eventually rise by a further £5m through performance-related add-ons.
Replacing Konate and defensive reshuffle
His arrival on Merseyside fills the void left by Ibrahima Konate following his recent free transfer to Real Madrid.
The Premier League side moved swiftly over the winter to secure the youngster amid strong interest from domestic rivals Chelsea.
The former Rennes prospect has been sidelined with a dislocated shoulder since February but is expected to be fully fit for pre-season training.
Adding depth to the Anfield backline
This defensive reinforcement provides a timely boost for the Reds after a challenging period with severe injuries.
Fellow centre-back Giovanni Leoni remains out of action due to a cruciate ligament tear sustained on his debut against Southampton last September.
The promising Frenchman joins Leoni, Joe Gomez, and club captain Virgil van Dijk as the senior central defensive options for the upcoming campaign.
He becomes the club’s second major capture of the summer window, following the £34m acquisition of Spanish winger Victor Munoz.
The Anfield hierarchy remain active in the market, having recently tabled an £86m package for RB Leipzig talent Yan Diomande.