Liverpool Secure Jacquet in £60m Summer Deal as Fulham Block Everton Bid

Liverpool have secured a major defensive reinforcement for the future, reaching a £60 million agreement with Rennes for the highly-rated centre-back Jérémy Jacquet. The 20-year-old French youth international is set to undergo a medical on Merseyside this Monday, February 2, 2026. While the deal has been finalized during the frantic closing hours of the winter window, the Reds have structured the move as a summer transfer, allowing Jacquet to remain in Ligue 1 for the remainder of the 2025/26 campaign.

The financial package includes a guaranteed £55 million base fee with an additional £5 million in performance-related add-ons. Jacquet, who has been a standout performer for Rennes with 18 starts this season, has reportedly agreed to a long-term contract at Anfield running until June 2031. Liverpool successfully hijacked interest from Chelsea and Manchester United to secure the Bondy-born prodigy, who prioritized a move to Anfield due to a clearer path to first-team football compared to the “overloaded” defensive ranks at Stamford Bridge.

The acquisition is seen as a strategic succession plan for Ibrahima Konaté, whose contract situation remains unresolved as he enters the final months of his current deal. After missing out on Marc Guéhi, who recently joined Manchester City for £20 million, Liverpool chiefs moved decisively to ensure they didn’t enter the summer window without a primary defensive target secured. Jacquet’s ball-playing composure and aerial dominance have drawn comparisons to a young Virgil van Dijk, whom he is eventually expected to partner or succeed.

Meanwhile, a cross-town transfer saga has hit a stalemate as Fulham rejected a formal approach from Everton for Welsh international Harry Wilson. The Toffees, desperate for attacking reinforcements following a season-ending injury to Manchester City loanee Jack Grealish, identified Wilson as a primary target. However, Fulham head coach Marco Silva has reportedly issued a “zero chance” ultimatum, insisting the 28-year-old winger is indispensable to the Cottagers’ push for European qualification.

Wilson has been in scintillating form this term, contributing eight goals and four assists in 23 Premier League appearances. Despite being set to become a free agent this summer, Fulham appear content to risk losing him for nothing in July rather than weakening their squad mid-season. The player himself is said to be pausing contract extension talks until there is further clarity on Marco Silva’s future, with the Portuguese manager also approaching the end of his current deal.

The rejection leaves Everton scrambling for alternatives in the final hours of the deadline, with reports suggesting they have pivoted toward a loan move for Chelsea youngster Tyrique George. For Wilson, the prospect of a high-profile move remains on the table for the summer, but for now, his immediate future remains at Craven Cottage as Fulham aim to maintain their top-half standing.