Liverpool have moved for the future, not the now. The club has agreed a £60 million transfer for Rennes’ rising centre-back Jeremy Jacquet in a deal that breaks the usual script. Jacquet, 20, will not arrive at Anfield until July 2026, but the Reds believe he is worth the wait. The Athletic’s David Ornstein confirmed the move and the structure behind it.

The package is £55 million upfront plus £5 million in performance-based add-ons. Jacquet will remain at Rennes for the 2025–26 season to continue his development before joining Liverpool on a contract through 2030, with an option for a further year. It is a bold, patient play that speaks to long-term planning on Merseyside.

Why Liverpool Moved Now for Jeremy Jacquet

This deal follows a summer chase for Marc Guehi that did not land. The England defender has since joined Manchester City this month, closing that door for good. Instead of scrambling, Liverpool recalibrated and found a profile they consider even better for the club’s future model.

As Ornstein reported, Liverpool view Jacquet as a piece who will be more valuable long-term than Guehi “within their framework.” That is a strong vote of confidence in both the player and the club’s data-led recruitment strategy. It also comes against a backdrop of Palace noise earlier this season, when manager Oliver Glasner said a player “was not in the right place” to play. While that line sat within Crystal Palace’s own context, it underlined the turbulence around Guehi’s situation before City stepped in.

“If Ornstein says it, it’s real — Jacquet over Guehi is bold.”

The Unusual 2026 Arrival, Explained

This is not a standard buy-and-announce transfer. By agreeing the fee now and staggering the arrival, Liverpool lock in a premium talent at 20 and let him stack minutes in a league he knows. There is no rush to throw him into the Premier League pressure cooker. He joins in July 2026 once he has two more full seasons under his belt.

It also gives Liverpool the space to manage their back line through a planned transition. Virgil van Dijk remains the present. But a post-Van Dijk era will come, and the club wants the next leader-in-waiting ready on day one. This structure makes that possible without overpaying later or missing out if other giants circle.

“A 2026 arrival? Smart patience or risky wait?”

Player Profile: Rennes’ France U21 Centre-Back

Jacquet is a France U21 international who stands 1.88 meters tall. He has started every Ligue 1 match he has been available for this season, showing trust from his coaches and consistency in his performances. He is not perfect — he saw red against Paris Saint-Germain on December 6 — but that is part of the learning curve for a young defender who plays on the front foot.

His path includes a key loan at Clermont Foot in the second division before he joined Rennes. That stint toughened him up. It also put him on scouting radars across Europe. Arsenal tracked him after that loan, but Liverpool have moved decisively to secure his signature for the long term.

• Age: 20
• Height: 1.88m
• 2024–25 Ligue 1: 18 appearances
• International: France U21
• Notable moment: Red card vs PSG (Dec 6)
• Development path: Loan at Clermont Foot (second division)

How He Fits Liverpool’s Defensive Rebuild

Jacquet is being signed as part of a generational shift, alongside the club’s summer recruits Florian Wirtz, Hugo Ekitike, and Milos Kerkez. That blend suggests a plan to refresh key lines with young, high-ceiling players who can grow together. It is patient, it is brave, and it is very Liverpool under their current model.

By 2026, the Reds want a core that can dominate for years. Jacquet’s profile — athletic, tall, aggressive in duels — fits that picture. With a contract to 2030 and an option for another year, this is not a quick fix. It is a long-term bet on a defender they believe can anchor the back line in the next cycle.

“Post-VVD plan starts now. Trust the process.”

From Guehi to Jacquet: The Pivot and the Message

After Guehi slipped away to Manchester City, it would have been easy for Liverpool to chase the next available name. Instead, the club doubled down on fit and upside. Ornstein’s line that Liverpool see Jacquet as a more valuable long-term piece than Guehi says the quiet part out loud: the Reds trust their framework more than they fear missing the short-term window.

That pivot is also a message to the market. Liverpool are willing to act early, even if the payoff is two summers away. They are not waiting for normal windows to force their hand. They are shaping the squad on their timeline.

What It Means for Rennes and the Wider Market

For Rennes, keeping Jacquet through 2025–26 is a win. They retain a top performer for another full campaign and can plan around his exit date. For the player, the path is clear and calm: keep playing, keep growing, and walk into a Premier League giant in 2026.

Arsenal’s long-term interest shows the level of competition around him. But Liverpool got there first with a concrete offer and a plan that suits everyone. It is tidy business that balances today’s needs with tomorrow’s goals.

Risks, Rewards, and the Bottom Line

There are risks in any deal this far out. Form can dip. Injuries can happen. Football changes fast. But when a club is convinced by the data, the character, and the pathway, early action can save money and reduce uncertainty. Liverpool have done exactly that here.

The numbers are clear, the structure is smart, and the intent is loud. Jeremy Jacquet is a £60 million commitment to the future of Liverpool’s back line. If he keeps trending up, the wait to 2026 will feel like part of the design — not a delay.

The Athletic’s David Ornstein broke the news, with additional coverage across Sport Bible, Vital Football, Anfield Index, OneFootball, and Football Gaming Zone. The consensus is simple: this is one for the long game.

Bottom line: Liverpool have secured a top young defender, set a timeline that suits their rebuild, and sent a clear signal that the next era is already in motion.