Liverpool 'agree £61m signing' in Chelsea hijack in transfer deadline day twist

Liverpool are on the verge signing Rennes defender Jeremy Jacquet in a deal worth around £60m, according to reports. The 19-year-old Frenchman had been heavily linked with a move to Chelsea this month.

Liam Rosenior's side had agreed personal terms with the French teenager, who is considered one of the most promising defenders in world football. However, the Blues had been struggling to convince Rennes to part with Jacquet, as they wanted to bring him to Stamford Bridge immediately, while the Ligue 1 side insisted on keeping him until the summer.

Arne Slot's side have looked to take advantage of the impasse and have now reportedly secured Jacquet's signature under Chelsea's nose. It's been reported by Fabrizio Romano that Liverpool have agreed a deal worth around €70m (£60m) including add-ons.

The only caveat for the Reds is the Frenchman will arrive at Anfield in the summer, rather than this winter. The deal represents a huge coup for the Merseysiders, but it will not quench their current injury crisis in defence.

They are short in options at the back as a result of injuries to right-back Conor Bradley and summer signing Geovanni Leoni. Jeremie Frrimpomg also picked up an injury in the 6-0 victory over Qarabag in the Champions League.

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Earlier this afternoon, they looked to have wrapped up a temporary deal for Lutsharel Geertruida of Sunderland for the rest of the season. Unfortunately for them, a move for the versatile defender looks to have collapsed at the eleventh hour.

While he is at the Stadium of Light, Geertruida is only on loan from RB Leipzig, meaning the Reds needed the blessing of both Regis Le Bris' side and the Bundesliga heavyweights. The Black Cats will only rubber stamp the move if they are able to sign a replacement for the 25-year-old, according to reports.

The Dutchman's next destination is expected to be the Stadium of Light when his side host relegation battling Burnley on Monday evening. If the Reds are not able to get another central defender in before the end of the campaign, their small list of players will have to suffice.

With Bradley and Leoni out for the rest of the season, Liverpool academy youngster Calvin Ramsey is the Reds' only fit, specialist right-back. Midfielders Wataru Endo and Dominik Szoboszlai have taken turns filling in at full back throughout the campaign.

At central defence, Virgil van Dijk, Ibrahima Konate and Joe Gomez are the only options, while the Reds do still have Milos Kerkez and Andy Robertson at left-back. The Reds invested £450m in the summer transfer window, but may still be kicking themselves for not being able to sign former Crystal Palace defender Marc Guehi.

The England international saw a move to Anfield collapse in the eleventh hour of the summer transfer window, when everything appeared to have been signed, sealed and delivered. He left Selhurst Park this month, but joined Manchester City in a deal worth £30m.

Earlier this month, Slot said he did not expect any transfer activity to be carried out, after the unprecedented summer outlay. But after the 4-1 home victory over Newcastle United, he appeared to shift his position.

He said: "I think we are trying to strengthen the squad and not trying to weaken it. But yeah, 48 hours to go. Let's see where the window ends up."

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