Chelsea have cooled their interest in Jeremy Jacquet following a major change in the past 48 hours, paving the way for Liverpool to make a decisive move for the Rennes defender.
The latest information, provided by well-connected journalist Ben Jacobs, revealed how quickly the balance of the deal tipped in Liverpool’s favor.
Jaquet has attracted the attention of several Premier League clubs following his impressive rise in Stade Rennais colors, but Liverpool’s fundamentals have proved decisive.
The Reds are thought to be moving quickly towards completion, having begun talks and pre-agreed terms over three weeks ago, before ramping up negotiations in recent days.
His bold approach paid off, and Jaquet is scheduled to undergo a medical check on Monday.
Why Chelsea withdrew from signing Jacket
From Chelsea’s point of view, this change is more due to internal planning than sudden doubts about Jaquet’s qualifications.
The club were well aware of Rennes’ assessment and, importantly, did not consider personal conditions to be an obstacle. However, with the development of Chelsea’s own defensive department, the equation has changed.
With Mamadou Sarr’s impending return from his loan spell at RC Strasbourg, the centre-back depth has been strengthened and there is less urgency to recruit from outside.
At the same time, Chelsea are keen to protect the path of highly regarded academy talent Josh Achiampong, with him seen internally as a long-term option rather than a player to be blocked by another young player.
Unwilling to sell Acheampong and unwilling to overcrowd the position, Chelsea have now withdrawn from the deal altogether, allowing Liverpool to make a run for it.
Liverpool are ready to move on to the final stages
For Liverpool, Jaquet fits perfectly into their long-term recruitment strategy.
The club is actively planning for the future of its defensive unit, blending experience with emerging talent that has the potential to be world-class.
Liverpool see Jaquet as both a short-term addition and a long-term asset, especially for a club looking to remain competitive domestically and in Europe.
With a medical pending, Jaquet looks set to become the latest example of Liverpool’s ambitious approach paying dividends in the transfer market.
Liverpool and Chelsea to negotiate with soon-to-be free agent defender
