Manchester United tried to hijack Jeremy Jacquet’s move to Liverpool, Sky Germany journalist Florian Plettenberg has revealed.
The Old Trafford side were reportedly looking to enter the race for the 20-year-old centre-half hours before he sealed an agreement to join Liverpool after the season.
The Reds have agreed a £60m deal with Rennes for Jacquet, who will join Liverpool after the season and could potentially replace fellow Frenchman Ibrahima Konate, whose contract is expiring at the end of the season.
Chelsea are believed to have held talks with Jacquet during the winter window, but were unable to match Liverpool’s bid for the highly rated defender.
Man Utd Tried Signing Jeremy Jacquet
According to Plettenberg, Jacquet already had an agreement in place with Liverpool when Manchester United attempted to hijack his move from Rennes.
Liverpool have agreed to pay a fixed fee of £55m plus a potential £5m in performance-related add-ons for Jacquet, who is set to have his medical on transfer deadline day.
The Frenchman came through the Rennes academy and has played for the club 18 times in Ligue 1 this season, starting on every occasion.
Liverpool have registered their first piece of transfer business this year with a deal for Jacquet, having endured a fairly quiet January window.
The Reds could still bolster their right-back options before Monday’s deadline and have looked at signing Sunderland star Lutsharel Geertruida, who is likely to stay put.
After Geertruida: Liverpool Open Talks to Sign ‘Special’ Star, Could Cost £30m
Liverpool are in the market for reinforcements.
