Jeremy Jacquet 'sacrifice' pays off after telling admission before Liverpool transfer

Jeremy Jacquet is closing in on a move to Liverpool before the transfer deadline, and the Rennes defender has previously spoken about prioritising playing time and making sacrifices to reach his goals

Liverpool are closing in on a deadline day transfer for Jeremy Jacquet.(Image: Neal Simpson/Allstar/Getty Images)

Liverpool transfer target Jeremy Jacquet has demonstrated the mentality that the club will be acquiring should they finalise a deadline day agreement for the defender.

The Rennes player is edging closer to a late switch to Anfield, with the Reds hoping to secure a deal before the cut-off point before sending him back to the Ligue 1 outfit on loan for the rest of the campaign.

The club have fended off interest from the likes of Chelsea and Manchester United and reached an initial agreement with Rennes. Jacquet is understood to have been captivated by the vision presented by Liverpool, with reports suggesting that he believes he will receive more opportunities at Anfield.

Should that prove accurate, it wouldn't mark the first occasion in his brief career that Jacquet has placed match time as his priority.

The youngster moved down a division to join Ligue 2 outfit Clemert on loan in January 2024. Speaking to L'Equipe, via Ligue 1 last year, Jacquet discussed that choice.

"It was either stay at Rennes with little playing time or go and discover something new, he said. "I chose minutes on the pitch - and it paid off."

He was brought back in February last year, following a total of 24 outings for the club.

The 20 year old has subsequently established himself as a mainstay at Rennes, prior to his anticipated deadline day transfer to Liverpool.

"When you're young, the most important thing is to play," he added about his decision to go on loan. "That came from me and my family. I didn't hesitate.

"It shows I'm confident in myself and ready to make sacrifices to reach my goals."

Jeremy Jacquet is set to join Liverpool on deadline day.(Image: Neal Simpson/Allstar/Getty Images)

He credits his family for instilling the values that have helped him so far. "I inherited respect and humility from them," he said.

"With that, it's impossible for me to act like someone who doesn't want to work."

Jacquet has also outlined the style of play that Liverpool can expect from him in a Red shirt. "I'm calm on the ball, maybe I can look a bit nonchalant - but I'm focused," he said.

"What defines me is playing out well, breaking lines with the right pass."

He added: "The coach asks me to communicate more, to lead, to add a bit more aggression. I'm working on finding the right balance."

Should the transfer go through, it would bolster Arne Slot's defensive choices for the second half of the campaign. Ibrahima Konate and Virgil van Dijk are the only available first-team centre-backs currently fit.