Jeremy Jacquet made his feelings clear on Virgil van Dijk and Ibrahima Konate

Liverpool has agreed to a deal to sign Jeremy Jacquet from Rennes this summer, and the 20-year-old defender has named his childhood idol ahead of his Anfield move

Jeremy Jacquet is heading to Liverpool(Image: Getty Images)

Rennes' standout player, Jeremy Jacquet, has confessed his admiration for a certain player over Liverpool's central defenders Virgil van Dijk and Ibrahima Konate.

The defender has agreed to a deal that will see him don the red of Liverpool come summer. The transfer is expected to be in the region of £55 million ($75 million), with an additional £5 million ($7 million) in add-ons for the 20-year-old who has been turning heads in Ligue 1.

The Reds have had to fend off competition for his signature, with fellow Premier League team Chelsea having engaged in discussions about a potential move during the January transfer window.

It's understood that Jacquet wishes to remain with Rennes for the rest of the season to aid the French club in securing a European spot.

While he has previously expressed admiration for his soon-to-be Liverpool colleagues, his childhood hero used to play for Manchester United.

"As a defender, I really like Van Dijk, and more recently Konate," Jacquet revealed to L'Equipe.

Jacquet will get the chance to play alongside Virgil van Dijk - and maybe Ibrahima Konate, too(Image: Getty Images)

"But my favorite player is (Paul) Pogba, since I played in midfield. I've always wanted to play like him."

Assuming his move goes through, Jacquet will have the chance to line up alongside Van Dijk next season.

Meanwhile, Konate's contract is nearing its end, with no agreement on new terms as yet.

Joe Gomez is grappling with fitness concerns, while summer acquisition Giovanni Leoni is recuperating from his ACL injury. The requirement for long-term defensive additions is evident, and Jacquet, who has featured in 18 of 20 league matches for Rennes, has become a primary target.

Until the transfer is finalized, Chelsea or another club could opt to submit an improved offer for Jacquet and gauge the defender's commitment to joining Liverpool. The transfer window closes at 7pm GMT (2pm ET) on Monday.

Liverpool's injury problems at right-back have also sparked the club's interest in Lutsharel Geertruida. The adaptable defender, capable of operating at right-back and center-back, is on loan at Sunderland from RB Leipzig.

The Reds are without Conor Bradley for the remainder of the season, while Jeremie Frimpong is out with a groin injury alongside Gomez's fitness concerns. Dominik Szoboszlai was once more required to fill in at full-back during Liverpool's victory over Newcastle at the weekend.

However, a move for Geertruida now seems improbable, with Sunderland lacking sufficient defensive cover to consent to terminating his loan. The 25-year-old previously worked under Liverpool manager Arne Slot at Feyenoord.