Jeremy Jacquet's manager explained why Liverpool must wait for summer to complete transfer

The Reds are currently lacking defensive options, but have stalled Jacquet's arrival until next summer. That decision was not completely made by Liverpool, as outlined by recent comments from Rennes' boss Habib Beye

Habib Beye has revealed why Rennes can't allow Jeremy Jacquet to leave midseason(Image: Getty Images)

Liverpool’s move for Jeremy Jacquet represents an exciting and shrewd signing for the Premier League champions, albeit it does not help address the club’s current defensive shortcomings.

Dominik Szoboszlai, Wataru Endo and Ryan Gravenberch were deployed in the back four across the Reds’ two fixtures last week, with four of Arne Slot’s regular eight defenders currently injured.

In exploring a deal for Lutsharel Geertruida, Liverpool all but acknowledged those defensive deficiencies and the problems it could cause between now and May, with the team still competing on three fronts. So while Jacquet’s arrival seems like a sensible long-term acquisition, it does not address the more immediate problems.

The defender is set to join next summer in a deal worth up to £60 million ($82M), and could essentially represent a replacement for Ibrahima Konate or Joe Gomez, who may depart the club ahead of the 2026/27.

But the decision to stall that arrival was, at least in part, taken out of Liverpool’s hands.

Rennes, Jacquet’s current employer, is locked in a battle to secure a European spot for next season and feels it cannot allow the talented youngster to depart midseason.

Former Newcastle and Aston Villa Habib Beye is the current Rennes boss

“I believe Jeremy is very important to our objectives, and if he were to leave, we would have to lower those objectives, because he’s a key player for us, one of the best on our team,” said Rennes head coach Habib Beye earlier this window, when asked about the possibility of Jacquet signing for Chelsea.

“We have to be able to resist this kind of approach. There are several factors beyond my control in this matter. We’ll see what happens in the coming days.”

That means Liverpool fans will have an opportunity to see Jacquet in action over the course of the coming months before he joins the club in the summer.

Jeremy Jacquet is set to undergo his Liverpool medical on Monday

Rennes has another 14 games remaining this season and is currently sixth in the table, which would secure a Europa Conference League spot.

The summer arrival of Jacquet is also in keeping with the club’s strategy in that position. As highlighted by the signing of 18-year-old Giovanni Leoni last summer, the Reds' preference is to bring in up-and-coming centre-backs who could be mainstays in the team for years to come.

That Virgil van Dijk, Konate and Gomez are closing in on a combined 24 years’ service at the club is telling.

Liverpool looks for financial value when assessing transfer recruits, especially at center-back, as evidenced by the decision not to pursue Marc Guehi’s transfer earlier this month.