Liverpool won the race to sign Rennes defender Jeremy Jacquet on a quiet final day of the Premier League transfer window, while Crystal Palace swooped for Wolves striker Jorgen Strand Larsen despite the collapse of Jean-Philippe Mateta’s move to AC Milan.
The Reds agreed a reported fee of up to £60 million ($82 million) for the highly-rated Jacquet before the window closed.
But the 20-year-old will not join the Premier League champions until the summer despite Liverpool’s need for defensive reinforcements.
Jacquet had been linked with a transfer to Chelsea earlier this month but was reportedly put off the move by the competition for places at centre-back in the Blues’ bloated squad.
Liverpool, by contrast, are short on centre-back options, with Joe Gomez and Giovanni Leoni sidelined by injury.
French under-21 international Jacquet has only made 31 appearances for Rennes, but Liverpool will reportedly pay an initial £55 million with a further £5 million contingent on add-ons.
“Liverpool have reached an agreement for the transfer of Jeremy Jacquet from Stade Rennais, with the defender set to join the club ahead of the 2026-27 season, subject to a work permit and international clearance,” a statement on the club’s website said.
“The Reds have secured a deal for the 20-year-old that will see him complete the remainder of the current campaign in Ligue 1 and move to Anfield in the summer on a long-term contract.”
Palace moved for Strand Larsen after believing Mateta was about to leave the club.
The France striker was left out of Palace’s squad for their Premier League draw at Nottingham Forest on Sunday, in anticipation of a transfer to AC Milan.
Mateta’s proposed switch to Serie A fell through on Monday after medical concerns over a knee injury, but Palace still brought in Strand Larsen.
“AC Milan requested further tests on his knee, and they did not provide the necessary assurances to finalise the transfer,” a source told AFP.
“The decision had been made to bring his arrival forward by six months. The move has now been abandoned.”
Bottom of the table Wolves signed Southampton striker Adam Armstrong for £7 million to replace Strand Larsen.