Liverpool emerged as one of the few headline-makers on a subdued Premier League deadline day, securing a long-term agreement for Rennes defender Jeremy Jacquet, while Crystal Palace moved decisively to sign Wolves striker Jørgen Strand Larsen following the collapse of Jean-Philippe Mateta’s proposed move to AC Milan.
The Premier League champions agreed a deal worth up to £60 million for Jacquet, beating off competition to land the highly-rated 20-year-old centre-back. However, despite Liverpool’s current defensive shortages, the France Under-21 international will remain at Rennes for the rest of the season and formally join the club in the summer.
Jacquet had been linked with Chelsea earlier in the window but was reportedly deterred by the congestion in the Blues’ defensive ranks. Liverpool’s situation is markedly different, with Joe Gomez and Giovanni Leoni sidelined through injury, leaving the club short of senior centre-back options. Although relatively inexperienced — he has made just 31 senior appearances for Rennes — Jacquet is viewed as a significant long-term investment, with an initial £55 million fee supplemented by £5 million in performance-related add-ons.
In confirming the transfer, Liverpool stated that Jacquet would complete the current Ligue 1 campaign before moving to Anfield on a long-term contract, subject to work permit and international clearance.
Elsewhere, Crystal Palace completed a club-record £48 million signing of Norway international Strand Larsen, handing the forward a four-and-a-half-year contract. Palace accelerated their move after believing Mateta was close to leaving the club, with the French striker omitted from the squad for Sunday’s draw at Nottingham Forest amid expectations of a transfer to AC Milan.
However, Mateta’s move collapsed late on Monday after Milan raised concerns following medical checks on a knee issue. Despite the reversal, Palace pressed ahead with the Strand Larsen deal, opting to strengthen their attacking options regardless of Mateta’s immediate future.
“AC Milan requested further tests on his knee and did not provide the assurances required to complete the transfer,” a source told AFP, confirming that the Serie A club ultimately abandoned the move.
At the other end of the table, Wolves moved quickly to replace Strand Larsen by signing Southampton striker Adam Armstrong for £7 million as they attempt to revive their survival hopes.
Everton added attacking depth with the loan signing of Chelsea winger Tyrique George, 19, securing an option to make the move permanent in the summer. Chelsea were also active in trimming and reshaping their squad, recalling Mamadou Sarr from his loan at Strasbourg. The Senegal centre-back, who made 18 appearances in France, has featured sparingly for the Blues, with his only senior outing coming at the Club World Cup last July.
Chelsea defender Axel Disasi was also set to complete a loan move to West Ham, having been frozen out of first-team contention for much of the past 18 months and last appearing for the club in January 2025.
Manchester City midfielder Kalvin Phillips joined Championship side Sheffield United on loan for the remainder of the season, continuing his search for regular football after limited involvement at the Etihad. The former England international has made just one appearance for City this campaign.
Tottenham secured the loan signing of 18-year-old Hearts striker James Wilson, with an option to buy. Wilson is already a record-breaker, having become Scotland’s youngest-ever international during his appearance against Greece last year.
Nottingham Forest strengthened defensively with the signing of Borussia Mönchengladbach left-back Luca Netz on a four-and-a-half-year deal, while Sunderland enjoyed a busy conclusion to the window. The Black Cats signed Ecuador winger Nilson Angulo from Anderlecht for £17.5 million and sanctioned the loan departure of Simon Adingra to Monaco, with a potential permanent move included.
While deadline day lacked volume, several clubs used the final hours to make targeted, strategic moves that could prove influential over the second half of the season and beyond.
