Jeremy Jacquet opted to join Liverpool ahead of Chelsea on Sunday, with the Rennes centre-back identifying a clearer pathway to regular first-team action at Anfield. The promising French defender is highly regarded and had attracted interest from the Blues during the latter stages of the January transfer window.

Liverpool entered the pursuit at the eleventh hour and clinched a £60million agreement, with Jacquet himself viewing the Reds as offering superior opportunities for consistent game time. Chelsea received an identical proposal to Liverpool, but the previous 48 hours proved decisive in the Rennes defender's choice of Anfield over Stamford Bridge for a summer transfer.

Sky Sports claim that upon discovering Mamadou Sarr would be returning to Chelsea from his loan stint at Strasbourg, and that Josh Acheampong would be remaining, Jacquet changed his mind on Chelsea and decided that Liverpool represented the superior option, given the Blues' bloated squad.

The agreement remains unofficial at the time of publication, with Liverpool under no obligation to finalise the transfer before Monday's 7pm deadline.

The Blues also boast Trevoh Chalobah, Wesley Fofana, Tosin Adarabioyo, Benoit Badiashile, Aaron Anselmino and Jorrel Hato within their senior squad. Levi Colwill...