Liverpool's reason for signing Jeremy Jacquet instead of Marc Guehi explained

Liverpool is poised to sign Rennes defender Jeremy Jacquet in the summer, with the France U21 international expected to finalize his blockbuster transfer to Anfield shortly

Jeremy Jacquet is heading to Anfield this summer(Image: Getty Images)

Liverpool views Jeremy Jacquet as a more valuable long-term prospect than Marc Guehi, after reaching an agreement to bring the 20-year-old Rennes defender to Anfield this summer.

The Reds are set to sign the France U21 international for £55 million ($75 million) plus £5 million ($7 million) in add-ons at the end of the season, having held talks with the Ligue 1 club over the weekend.

The Reds have beaten Chelsea and Bayern Munich to secure the highly-rated center-back, who arrived on Merseyside on Monday and is expected to complete the formalities of his blockbuster move to Anfield. There are also reports that Manchester United registered its interest in Jacquet over the weekend.

Jacquet will stay with Rennes until the end of the current campaign before making the switch to Liverpool in the summer.

He will form a key part of a defensive rebuild that started with the signing of teenager Giovanni Leoni from Parma, though the youngster has made just one appearance for the Reds after suffering an Anterior Cruciate Ligament (ACL) injury on his debut.

It's believed that Jacquet was eager to remain at Rennes for the remainder of the season to help secure European qualification. The team currently sits in sixth place in the Ligue 1 table, occupying a Conference League position.

Marc Guehi joined Manchester City instead of Liverpool(Image: Getty Images)

Rennes is also reluctant to let Jacquet leave in January, having already seen 18-year-old striker Kader Meite depart for Saudi Pro League outfit Al-Hilal last week.

Personal terms are not expected to be a stumbling block for Jacquet, who has given the green light to a move to Anfield despite interest from rival clubs.

Should a deal go through as expected, Jacquet would become the latest exciting young prospect to join the Reds following the arrivals of Hugo Ekitike, Milos Kerkez, Jeremie Frimpong, Florian Wirtz, and Leoni last summer.

Liverpool were keen to land Guehi, but a move from Crystal Palace collapsed on deadline day, with the England center-back ultimately signing for Manchester City in the January window.

However, it appears the Reds have no regrets about securing an agreement with Jacquet despite losing out on Guehi. According to The Athletic, Liverpool views Jacquet as a more valuable long-term investment than Guehi within the club's overall strategy, which explains its eagerness to capture the Rennes player.

The Reds are working to build a squad for the years ahead, having signed eight first-team players aged 25 and under during the last 18 months. With Jacquet poised to arrive in the summer, they are not anticipated to sign a first-team player before Monday's deadline, despite Arne Slot hinting at potential additions on Saturday.

Following the 4-1 triumph over Newcastle, Slot commented: "I think we are trying to strengthen the squad and not trying to weaken it. But yeah, 48 hours to go. Let's see where the window ends up."

Jacquet has made 19 appearances for Rennes this season, helping to secure five clean sheets. He was in the starting line-up for Saturday's resounding 4-0 defeat to Monaco.