Liverpool secured the signing of Rennes defender Jeremy Jacquet on the final day of the Premier League transfer window, while Crystal Palace acquired Wolves striker Jorgen Strand Larsen despite Jean-Philippe
Mateta’s failed move to AC Milan.
The Reds reportedly agreed to a fee of up to £60 million ($82 million) for the promising Jacquet before the window closed at 1900 GMT. However, the 20-year-old will not join Liverpool until the summer, even though the club is in need of defensive reinforcements.
Jacquet was previously linked with Chelsea earlier this month but was reportedly deterred by the competition for positions in the Blues’ crowded squad. Liverpool, on the other hand, are short on centre-back options with Joe Gomez and Giovanni Leoni out due to injuries.
The French under-21 international Jacquet has made only 31 appearances for Rennes, but Liverpool will reportedly pay an initial £55 million, with an additional £5 million contingent on add-ons.
According to a statement on Liverpool’s website, “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. 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.”
On an otherwise quiet transfer deadline day, Crystal Palace completed the club-record £48 million signing of Norway forward Strand Larsen on a four and a half year contract. Palace pursued Strand Larsen after anticipating Mateta’s departure from the club.
Mateta, the French striker, was excluded from Palace’s squad for their Premier League draw at Nottingham Forest on Sunday in anticipation of a transfer to AC Milan. However, Mateta’s move to Serie A was abandoned on Monday due to medical concerns over a knee injury, prompting Palace to still bring in Strand Larsen.
A source told AFP, “AC Milan requested further tests on his knee, and they did not provide the necessary assurances to finalise the transfer. The decision had been made to bring his arrival forward by six months. The move has now been abandoned.”
Meanwhile, bottom-of-the-table Wolves signed Southampton striker Adam Armstrong for £7 million to replace Strand Larsen. Everton signed Chelsea’s 19-year-old winger Tyrique George on loan for the rest of the season, with an option for a permanent move in the close season.
Chelsea recalled Mamadou Sarr from his loan spell at Strasbourg to reunite with Blues boss Liam Rosenior, who managed him at the French club earlier this season. Senegalese centre-back Sarr made 18 appearances for Strasbourg and has played just once for Chelsea, coming off the bench against Esperance at the Club World Cup in July.
Chelsea defender Axel Disasi was scheduled for a medical at West Ham ahead of a loan move for the rest of the season. The 27-year-old has been training separately from the Blues’ first team for most of this season and last played for Chelsea in January 2025.
Manchester City midfielder Kalvin Phillips joined Championship side Sheffield United on loan for the remainder of the season. Phillips, who last played for England in 2023, has featured for City just once this season, as a late substitute in their League Cup win at Huddersfield in September.
Tottenham signed 18-year-old striker James Wilson on loan from Scottish Premiership leaders Hearts. The north London club has an option to buy Wilson, the youngest man to represent Scotland when he played against Greece last year.
Nottingham Forest signed Borussia Monchengladbach left-back Luca Netz on a four and a half year deal. Sunderland acquired Ecuador winger Nilson Angulo from Anderlecht for £17.5 million, while their winger Simon Adingra joined Monaco on loan with an option for a permanent move.
