Why Jeremy Jacquet chose Liverpool over Chelsea as Reds close in on transfer

Liverpool have agreed a deal to sign Rennes defender Jeremy Jacquet in the summer, with the 20-year-old choosing the Reds over Chelsea due to better first-team opportunities at Anfield

Jeremy Jacquet seems to be on his way to Liverpool(Image: Neal Simpson/AllStar)

Jeremy Jacquet has opted for Liverpool over Chelsea, with the Rennes defender set to make his move to Anfield at the end of the season.

Late Sunday evening saw the Reds secure a deal believed to be worth around £60million ($82 million), with the French club for the 20 year old defender waiting to join the Merseyside outfit in the summer. Chelsea had been in negotiations with Rennes for approximately two weeks regarding a potential deal for Jacquet.

Officials at Stamford Bridge were keen for the 20 year old centre-back to join immediately, but Rennes were hesitant to approve a mid-season departure and that put Liverpool in pole position.

Discussions persisted with Rennes about a summer transfer and it was reported that Jacquet initially gave Chelsea the go-ahead. However, Liverpool have swooped in and commandeered the deal, reports Football London.

It now appears that Jacquet will be heading to the Reds in a few months' time.

It's understood that Jacquet had to choose between Chelsea and Liverpool and decided on the latter, believing he would have a better chance of securing regular first-team football at Anfield.

Chelsea are anticipated to recall Mamadou Sarr from his loan spell at Strasbourg today to strengthen Liam Rosenior's options at Stamford Bridge, while the club have dismissed interest in fellow centre-back Josh Acheampong.

Jeremy Jacquet of Stade Rennais(Image: Neal Simpson/Allstar/Getty Images)

The competition for spots at Chelsea, both in the immediate and long-term future, is fierce, and Jacquet feels that Liverpool offers a more straightforward path.

Sarr has played a crucial role in Strasbourg's squad this season, under the guidance of both Rosenior and now Gary O'Neil.

Chelsea have the option to activate the break clause in the contract of the Senegalese international to bring him back to Stamford Bridge. This comes as Aaron Anselmino, recently recalled from his loan spell at Borussia Dortmund, is set to join Strasbourg.

Liverpool does have a need for defensive additions right now after making an approach for Lutsharel Geertruida, who is on loan at Sunderland from RB Leipzig.

The Reds had opened talks over a deal for Geertruida, who impressed under Arne Slot at Feyenoord, and has been full of praise for his former boss in the past.

But Liverpool would need Sunderland to agree to cancel his loan and the Black Cats are reluctant to do so without signing a replacement, which they would be struggling to do so on the final day of the window.