Liverpool have beaten Chelsea in the race to sign Rennes defender Jeremy Jacquet after agreeing a fee of £55million plus add-ons, the Press Association understands.
The 20-year-old will remain at the Ligue 1 side for the rest of the season before moving to Anfield in the summer.
It comes after the Blues held talks in January and had been told that a fee and personal terms for the player would not be an issue.
However, PA understands the situation changed following speculation Mamadou Sarr is set to return to Chelsea from his loan at Strasbourg.
The club’s determination to keep academy graduate Josh Acheampong as well as the possibility of Liverpool defender Ibrahima Konate departing Anfield in the summer when his contract expires are also understood to have been factors in Jacquet’s decision.
The France under-21 international has has played for Rennes 18 times this season and his impressive displays since graduating from the club’s academy have seen him linked with a host of European clubs.
The uncertain future of Konate, who has only months to run on his current deal and is yet to agree an extension, leaves open a route into the starting XI that the France under-21 international felt could be barred next season at Stamford Bridge.
Liverpool have also been linked with a move for Bayern Munich defender Dayot Upamecano who is delaying agreeing a new deal at the Allianz Arena.
Chelsea had led the race to bring Jacquet to the Premier League. A central defensive player is a priority in the transfer market, particularly with Levi Colwill out for what is likely to be the whole season with an anterior cruciate ligament injury.
Jacquet was a long-term target and there was optimism that a deal could be done in January to bolster Liam Rosenior’s options in the immediate term whilst keeping the club’s broader recruitment plans on track.
His decision to join Liverpool is a blow, particularly after the squad’s defensive depth was shown to be lacking during a dreadful first half against West Ham on Saturday.
The club are unwilling to bring in emergency cover for Colwill and will only sanction deals for players that fit their long-term plans.
Rosenior confirmed last week that academy graduate Acheampong, who can play both right-back and central defence, is a part of his plans and will not be sold.
PA understands that no deal is currently in place for Sarr, the 20-year-old defender who was part of Senegal’s triumphant Africa Cup of Nations side, to return from Strasbourg where he is on loan.
Aaron Anselmino however is set to go on loan to the Ligue 1 side before Monday’s 7pm deadline.
Katie McCabe is likely to leave Arsenal when her contract expires this summer, with no new deal on the table after what sources have described as “very respectful discussions” about her future.
Arsenal regard McCabe as a club legend, the left-back having been there for just over 10 years and helped them become world and European champions, but they plan to refresh this summer with younger players.
McCabe, 30, wants to continue starting routinely at the top level, and carry on winning trophies. Arsenal are understood to be targeting a summer move for the Barcelona and Spain full-back Ona Batlle, as first reported by the Athletic.
Batlle is almost four years younger than McCabe and sources have indicated that talks are progressing well with a view to her signing a pre-contract agreement. She was part of the Barcelona side that reached last year’s Champions League final against Arsenal in Lisbon.
McCabe is a fan favourite at Arsenal and her exit would be a highly emotional for her and the club. Neither Arsenal nor the player’s representatives wished to comment on her future.
The Republic of Ireland international helped Arsenal win the Women’s Super League in 2019 and has been a core part of their team for much of the modern, professional era, winning an FA Cup in 2016 and three League Cups, before last season’s Champions League triumph and Sunday’s victory in the inaugural Champions Cup. McCabe played the game as Arsenal won 3-2 against Corinthians in extra time.
McCabe has been voted Arsenal’s player of the season twice, in 2021 and 2023, and played in every match of their victorious Champions League run.
The prospect of one of the world’s best left-backs being available on a free has not gone unnoticed by an extensive list of clubs and there are understood to be WSL and American NWSL sides interested.
