Liverpool agree £60m deal to sign Jeremy Jacquet from Rennes in major blow to Chelsea – as Reds hijack rivals with defender set to join in the summer

Liverpool have agreed a £60million package for Rennes defender Jeremy Jacquet.

The deal is £55m with a further £5m in add-ons for the 20-year-old.

Chelsea have been pushing to sign the France U21 international and were considered favourites but Liverpool are closing on agreement with the player.

A deal is still to be finalised but is tipped in Liverpool’s favour.

Jacquet recognises he could have a greater chance of playing first team football with the Premier League champions but will stay with Rennes for the rest of the season.

The deal was the preference of Rennes who did not wish to lose the young defender in this window, allowing them to replace him at the end of the season.