Liverpool are closer to completing a late hijack of Jeremy Jacquet’s proposed move to Chelsea, with the player now preparing for a deadline-day medical.
The Reds have been negotiating quietly in the background for the Rennes defender while Chelsea attempted to finalise a deal to bring him to London.
As late as Sunday night, some sources close to Chelsea were still hopeful of a late twist in their favour.
However, Liverpool now hold a clear advantage and are confident the transfer is effectively secured.
Liverpool have submitted a £60 million proposal to the French club but, crucially, believe they have convinced the player by outlining a clear development pathway into the first team in the near future.
Chelsea’s deep squad and their tendency to sign young players before loaning them out may have worked against them in this case.
The club already has several prospects pushing towards first-team opportunities and must be cautious not to block the progression of young talents, including Mamadou Sarr, Aaron Anselmino and Josh Acheampong.
Liverpool, by contrast, face less competition for emerging talent in this area of the pitch and believe Jacquet can develop into a top-level player within their setup.
The player has been booked in for a medical on Monday, with Liverpool confident he will become their player. While the deal will be finalised now, Jacquet will join the club after the conclusion of the current season.
A five-year contract has been proposed to the 20-year-old. Sources indicate that the financial terms on offer are not significantly different from those previously put forward by Chelsea, either in transfer fee or salary.
It is understood that Liverpool have carefully manoeuvred this deal to convince Jacquet that his potential can be fully realised at Anfield in the coming years.
