At just 20 years old, Jérémy Jacquet has already enjoyed a meteoric rise. Developed at Stade Rennais, the center back spent time at Clermont before establishing himself in Ligue 1 and attracting interest from some of Europe’s biggest clubs. In February 2026, Liverpool decided to make a major investment in him, spending up to €70 million including bonuses, making him the biggest sale in the history of the Breton club. After finishing the season at Rennes, Jacquet officially became a Liverpool player on July 1, 2026.
From Bondy to Rennes : a meteoric rise
Born in Bondy, in the Paris region, Jérémy Jacquet did not go directly through a professional academy. He began his journey at AS Outre Mer du Bois de l’Abbé before joining RC Joinville in 2013. Six years later, he entered Stade Rennais’ academy, where he gradually worked his way through the ranks.
His development would, however, take an important detour. After making his professional debut for Rennes in January 2024, Jacquet was sent on loan to Clermont. It proved to be an especially formative experience, as he first discovered Ligue 1 before continuing his development in Ligue 2. In 2025, Rennes eventually decided to recall him before the end of his loan spell. The Breton club had realized that it had a player capable of establishing himself quickly at the highest level.
His return to Brittany marked a turning point. Jacquet gradually earned more playing time and established himself in Rennes’ defense. His profile immediately stood out: at 6-foot-3, he possesses the physical qualities expected of a modern center back, but also a genuine ability to contribute to the buildup.
His potential was quickly recognized by observers. A French youth international, Jacquet was notably selected in the team of the tournament at the 2024 UEFA European Under-19 Championship. His development was particularly impressive considering that, just a few months earlier, he had still been playing in Ligue 2 with Clermont.
This trajectory partly explains why Liverpool was willing to invest so heavily in him. The English club was not simply buying a defender who had performed well in Ligue 1: it was investing in a 20-year-old player whose room for improvement remains considerable.
A modern defender
If Liverpool agreed to spend a fee that could reach €70 million, it was not simply because of his age. Jacquet possesses a profile that is particularly well suited to the demands of modern soccer.
Defensively, the Frenchman first stands out for his aggression and character. He likes to defend on the front foot, step out toward the ball carrier and impose himself physically on his opponent. This approach allows him to play with great intensity and limit the amount of space available to opposing attackers.
But it is his use of the ball that makes him particularly interesting. Jacquet is not a center back who simply wins possession before passing it to his midfielder. He regularly looks to break through the opposition’s first lines with his passing and can also carry the ball forward when space opens up in front of him.
This ability to contribute to buildup play perfectly reflects the evolution of the position. The best center backs today must be capable of defending high, winning their duels, but also contributing to the first phase of construction.
His performances for Rennes particularly highlighted this versatility. In some Ligue 1 matches, Jacquet found himself at the heart of Rennes’ play, defending with authority while also playing an active role in progressing the ball. L’Équipe notably highlighted his influence in Rennes’ victory over Marseille, emphasizing his “unyielding” defensive character and his willingness to take initiative in buildup play.
It is precisely this combination of power, aggression, positional intelligence and technical quality that convinced Liverpool. The English club sees him as a defender capable of adapting to the demands of the Premier League while still possessing significant room for development.
The gamble is nevertheless a major one. At 20, Jacquet still has relatively little experience at the highest level and has played only a limited number of Ligue 1 games. His transfer therefore represents an investment in his potential more than a reward for an already established career.
The transfer fee is obviously the most spectacular element of this story. Liverpool reached an agreement with Rennes in February 2026 for the defender to arrive in the summer, with a fee reported at around £60 million, potentially reaching approximately €70 million with bonuses. The transfer officially became effective on July 1.
Such a fee for a 20-year-old defender may come as a surprise. However, several factors help explain the Reds’ decision.
First, Liverpool identified Jacquet as a high-potential player. By recruiting a defender of this caliber at such a young age, the club hopes to benefit from his best years over a long period. The move is therefore not simply about addressing an immediate need, but about building the future of the defense.
Second, the market for young French defenders has become extremely competitive. Jacquet was reportedly also being monitored by Chelsea before Liverpool finalized his arrival. That competition inevitably helped drive up his value.
Finally, his transfer once again highlights Stade Rennais’ ability to develop and generate significant value from young players. The Breton club had already completed major sales in the past, but Jacquet has become its biggest-ever sale, surpassing Jérémy Doku’s transfer to Manchester City.
The timing of his arrival at Liverpool was nevertheless disrupted by a serious shoulder injury suffered with Rennes in February 2026, just days after his transfer was announced. He therefore had to wait before he could truly begin his English adventure.
But the injury does not change the logic behind the transfer. Liverpool bought a player for the present, but above all for the future. After developing at Stade Rennais, discovering professional soccer with Clermont and confirming his potential in Ligue 1, Jérémy Jacquet now faces the biggest challenge of his young career: proving that a 20-year-old defender developed in Brittany can establish himself at the highest level of English soccer.