Liverpool opted against bolstering their squad this season, but finalised a transfer for Stade Rennais defender Jeremy Jacquet on the winter transfer deadline day. And, a former France star has hit out at the Reds for breaking the bank for the youngster.
Liverpool Slammed for Finalising Big-Money Transfer
On Monday, Feb. 2, Liverpool signed Jacquet for an initial £55 million ($74 million) plus £5 million ($6.8 million) in add-ons, with the 20-year-old Rennes centre-back set to join in the summer.
Speaking recently on RMC radio show ‘Rothen s’enflamme’, former Barcelona and AC Milan ace Christophe Dugarry blasted the Reds for spending £60 million ($80.8 million) on Jacquet.
“This isn’t meant to offend the player, honestly. He’s not to blame at all and we wish him all the best because he’s a good player. But, when you have suckers like (the Reds), well done to Rennes. Rennes managed to find a sucker like Liverpool who were (willing to spend) €70 million ($82 million),” the 1998 FIFA World Cup winner commented.
“Let them continue, all these English clubs, sending tens of millions of euros. This isn’t just a two-tiered football situation anymore… it’s a football that’s lost its mind. Let’s stop trying to pretend there’s a justification for it. There’s no justification whatsoever,” Dugarry, who is a former Olympique Marseille and Girondins de Bordeaux attacker, continued.
Dugarry also sympathized with Jacquet as the future move is likely to put the player under an unfair amount of pressure in the infancy of his professional career.
“Poor Jacquet, this transfer is going to put a lot of pressure on him. Even him, the poor kid, who is certainly a good player, is going to arrive with so much pressure. His performances will be viewed differently, even though he doesn’t deserve it,” Dugarry added.
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Venting his frustration about the overpriced nature of the Reds’ latest deal, the 53-year-old concluded, “Those of us who know football, let’s not try to justify this amount by saying it’s because Liverpool has money or whatever. It’s meaningless! I don’t know what’s going on. It’s ridiculous! No, it’s not supply and demand. It’s ridiculous.”
Jacquet, who will turn 21 in July 2026, made his professional debut for Rennes in January 2024 before joining Clermont Foot on a year-long loan. He scored two goals in 24 overall outings while on loan at Clermont Foot and rejoined Rennes in February 2025.
Since rejoining Rennes last year, Jacquet has started all 18 of his Ligue 1 appearances for his boyhood club this season. The right-footed defender is set to continue his development at Rennes this season before pairing up with Virgil van Dijk and Ibrahima Konate.
