Pundit calls Liverpool a ‘sucker’ for paying excessive Jérémy Jacquet fee

Jérémy Jacquet (20) completed a move to Liverpool on transfer deadline day. For the Frenchman’s services, the Merseyside club paid a reported €72m, which for Stade Rennais, represents a club-record sale.

Liverpool pipped Chelsea to the signature of the promising Frenchman, who was also the subject of interest from Bayern Munich. Liverpool were keen to complete a deal during the winter window in order to avoid facing potentially even stiffer competition come the summer.

However, Rennes were determined to retain their centre-back until the end of the season and so Jacquet will immediately return to Roazhon Park before moving to Anfield in the summer.

The move has now come in for criticism. Speaking on RMC Sport, former France international Christophe Dugarry called Liverpool a “sucker” for having paid the fee that they did.

“It isn’t to offend the player. Honestly, he isn’t to blame and I wish him the best because he is a good player. When you have suckers… well done to Rennes. Rennes managed to find a sucker like Liverpool to pay €72m,” said Dugarry.

The pundit then went on to make a more general point about the current state of affairs in football. “Football is losing its mind. Stop trying to believe that there is any justification,” he said.

As well as Jacquet’s big-money move, there were also other big-name departures, such as Mohamed Kader Meité (Rennes) and George Ilenikhena (AS Monaco), moving to Saudi Arabia for figures north of €30m.