As we head into switch deadline day this winter, some Liverpool followers could also be wanting again at how their final deadline day went.
The Reds secured a deal to carry Alexander Isak to the membership, however infamously didn’t signal Marc Gehi regardless of a deal reportedly being reached.
Crystal Palace didn’t safe a substitute and gave up on the switch, however six months later, he’s now a Manchester Metropolis participant. It is attention-grabbing how rapidly the soccer world modifications.
Coincidentally, Liverpool are nonetheless trying to signal the elusive centre-back and will achieve this earlier than the window closes at 7pm on Monday night time.
Newest updates on Liverpool’s seek for a brand new defender
On Sunday morning, information broke that Liverpool had entered into contract negotiations with Lutcharel Gertruida from RB Leipzig. The Dutch defender is aware of Arne Slott nicely, having captained the Dutchman throughout their time collectively at Feyenoord.
Sadly, nevertheless, this can be a motion that reveals no indicators of progressing. Fabrizio Romano stories that discussions have taken place over the previous 24 hours however no settlement has been reached. Consequently, the transaction is now closed.
It could resolve Liverpool’s defensive issues within the brief time period, however they’re additionally trying to the long run.
That is based on Fabrizio Romano, who gave an replace on the signing of Rennes centre-back Jeremy Jacquet. The Frenchman has been the topic of sturdy curiosity from Chelsea this winter, with the 2 sides holding talks to signal the 20-year-old.
“Liverpool are in a battle with Chelsea to debate signing Jeremy Jaquet. They’re preventing for each element of the participant,” Romano mentioned on his YouTube channel on Sunday.
“They’re speaking to Rennes and speaking to the participant. However Rennes usually are not going to promote this participant on time. It’s for the summer season, for the 2026/27 season. Liverpool and Chelsea are attempting in each method to persuade the participant and get the inexperienced gentle.”
Earlier stories counsel it will probably value greater than £60m to signal him from France this summer season.
Why Jaquet could be a dream signing for Liverpool
If Liverpool have been in a position to signal Guia Truida between now and Monday’s deadline, it will have been a really sensible signing.
The participant is extraordinarily versatile, able to taking part in not solely as a central defender who can cowl for Virgil van Dijk and Ibrahima Konate, but in addition as a right-back to fill the void left by the injured Conor Bradley.
Not solely that, the Dutchman also can play in midfield, which makes the deal much more engaging.
That being mentioned, he is no joke. Within the phrases of Como scout Ben Mattinson, the younger Frenchman is “one of many prime 5 centre-backs on the earth” and “the following most coveted centre-back in world soccer”, and that claims all of it.
Having been born in the identical area of France as William Saliba, aka Bondi, comparisons are already beginning to be drawn between the 2, and it is simple to see why.
Jacquet has made his breakthrough in Ligue 1, particularly at a younger age, and continues to go from energy to energy in his homeland. So what makes him so good?
Nicely, he performs with a sure maturity past his years and has the identical easy defensive strategy that Saliba has at Arsenal.
Mix that together with his lengthy legs and it is simple to see why he not solely excels in tackling, however has sturdy restoration tempo to counterattack attackers heading in the direction of objective.
His stats in Ligue 1 present much more precisely how good this younger defender is.
2025/26 Jaquet vs Van Dijk | ||
|---|---|---|
Statistics (per 90 minutes) | backgammon | van dyke |
Go accuracy | 90.52% | 90.02% |
Take-up accomplished | 0.3 | 0.1 |
The sort out I made | 1.5 | 0.7 |
gained an aerial battle | 2.1 | 5 |
Profitable aerial duel | 75.5% | 77.27% |
Received a floor duel | 2.5 | 1.3 |
Profitable floor duel | 61.43% | 74.36% |
intercept | 1.1 | 0.7 |
Variety of balls collected | 4.3 | 2.2 |
The truth is, in comparison with positionally comparable gamers within the French prime flight this season, Jacquet ranks within the prime 6% for duels gained per 90 minutes. He’s notably commanding within the air, successful 75.5% of his aerial duels, a statistic that ranks him in one of the best 7% of French centre-backs, nearly on par with the good Van Dijk.
Just like the Liverpool captain, he’s extremely troublesome to go. This season, he has accomplished simply 0.11 dribbles per 90 minutes, which places him within the prime 20% of centre-backs in Ligue 1.
As Mattinson hinted, this can be a participant within the making of an elite-level centre-back, and whereas Geertruida affords a wise short-term answer, Jacquet is somebody who may very well be on the coronary heart of Liverpool’s backline for years to come back.
Liverpool in late ‘negotiations’ to signal ‘highly effective’ star participant who might turn out to be Fabinho 2.0
Liverpool have made a late transfer on their winter switch targets.
