Rennes issues explosive response after 'slanderous' Jeremy Jacquet transfer claims

Rennes has been plunged into chaos following Jeremy Jacquet's transfer agreement with Liverpool, with reports in France having suggested the club's manager is under pressure

Jeremy Jacquet is set to be part of Liverpool's defense next season(Image: Neal Simpson/Sportsphoto/Allstar via Getty Images)

Ligue 1 side Rennes has issued an explosive statement following "slanderous" claims regarding Jeremy Jacquet's transfer to Liverpool.

The French defender is set to move to Anfield next season after the reigning Premier League champions agreed an $82 million (£60 million) deal to sign him. Jacquet, 20, will remain at Rennes for the rest of the season, but the club has been hit with reports that head coach Habib Beye is under intense pressure after suffering a 3-0 loss to Marseille in the Coupe de France earlier this week.

According to FootMercato, they've suggested that the former Newcastle defender has ‘opened the door’ to leaving the French side but he ‘wants a substantial payoff’ to do so.

Further allegations claim that Beye wants to bank a percentage of the mammoth transfer fee Liverpool has agreed to pay Rennes for Jacquet. Ahead of a huge clash against Ligue 1 title contenders Lens on Saturday, Rennes released a statement.

It read: "Stade Rennais F.C. has taken note of the slanderous statements made in the columns of certain media outlets against the club and its coach Habib Beye, particularly regarding fanciful interests related to the transfers of our players Jérémy Jacquet and Kader Meïté.

"The management of Stade Rennais F.C. firmly denies these allegations. On the eve of an important away match, these attempts at destabilization are indecent and dishonest. Stade Rennais F.C., as a whole—players, coach, staff, and management—is doing everything possible to regain positive momentum in order to achieve its objectives."

Rennes boss Habib Beye is reportedly under pressure(Image: RMC Sport)

Further reports involving Rennes claimed Beye had clashed with his players, Moussa Al-Tamari and Brice Samba, at half-time in the loss against Marseille. However, Beye rubbished the rumors in his pre-match press conference: "I'm perfectly fine mentally.

"Unfortunately, in the locker room, we saw that a lot of things were being reported. I'm still surprised by how inaccurate everything that's been said. Everything that's been reported is inaccurate. It wasn't a clash, but a coach's instruction, like in any locker room.

"We also know that things can change quickly, one way or the other. We need to stay calm. We can’t be in this situation where everything is viewed negatively. We get closer, but then we’re plunged back into an incredible crisis.

"I’m protecting my team, and what’s unfortunate is that everything is getting out and being distorted. We need to report the real facts, not fabricated ones. I’m not trying to set the record straight, but I have to protect my team from this."

Liverpool hosts Manchester City on Sunday and ahead of the fixture, Slot revealed his delight in the agreement to sign Jacquet, as he showered praise on the highly-rated talent. "First of all, he is a very big talent and maybe even more than only a talent, but we speak about that because of his age," the Dutchman said.

"Second, we weren't the only ones interested in him so it is a big compliment to the people who are working so hard every single day to sign players that we were able to sign such a big talent.

"It is another example of the model we use at this club: young, very talented, sometimes at the start of their careers and sometimes a few years in, but always players that are young and can improve and help us for the short and definitely the long term."