Jeremy Jacquet’s reasons for snubbing Chelsea as Liverpool agree transfer | Football | Sport

Jeremy Jacquet has decided to join Liverpool over Chelsea despite the two Premier League clubs offering exactly the same deal. The Reds have agreed a £55million initial fee for the Rennes defender with the package also containing £5m in add-ons. The Frenchman will undergo a medical on deadline day today before linking up with his new club in the summer once the current season is over.

And while Chelsea have long been linked to Jacquet, and were previously said to be his preferred destination, Anfield will be his new home. The France under-21 international believes Liverpool will be a better club for the future of his career. Personal terms are already in place.

According to Sky Sports, while the two clubs offered the same deal, the fact Chelsea have multiple other young centre-backs put Jacquet off. The Blues have recalled Mamadou Sarr from his loan with Strasbourg while Josh Acheampong will not be leaving Stamford Bridge.

Chelsea also have both Levi Colwill and Aaron Anselmino under the age of 22 as the Londoners stockpile some of the best young defenders in Europe.

With Ibrahima Konate’s contract expiring at Liverpool and Joe Gomez reaching the end of his time on Merseyside, Jacquet could be an immediate starter under Arne Slot. The Bondy-born 20-year-old has previously named Konate and Virgil van Dijk as two of his idols, so will be hoping his countryman signs a new deal with the Premier League champions.

BBC Sport say Chelsea will not match Liverpool’s bid and will allow the Rennes academy graduate to head to Merseyside. It comes just weeks after the Reds saw England international Marc Guehi join rivals Manchester City.

Guehi was close to joining Slot’s side in the summer but a deal collapsed on deadline day. The centre-back joined City earlier this month and explained why his switch from Crystal Palace to Anfield fell apart.

Asked how near he came to joining Liverpool, £20m man Guehi said: “Very close. The medical was pretty much done and then it got pulled at the last minute. So, quite close!

“But I was still OK. My mindset’s always, ‘Move on to the next one’. And also that what will be, will be. God’s got a plan for me. Just move on to the next one and focus on what I could do for Palace.”

On joining City, he added: “I’m just glad that I got this move over the line. I’m now really confident that this is the place for me to improve and to grow as a player.

“I felt from conversations — through talking with some players here — that this was the place for me to improve and just to help as much as possible. I’m just glad that it’s over now. I’m glad I have joined this fantastic football club. And everyone’s given me a lovely welcome.”