Rennes insists on setting a club-record price; Liverpool signs the 20-year-old defender for a total of €72 million, with a €20 million valuation.

Last summer, Liverpool demonstrated their wealth at Anfield by securing two players each costing over €100 million—Isak and Wirtz—totaling €480 million in transfer spending. Only halfway through the season, despite missing Guéhi, Liverpool made a big-money move to sign 20-year-old French defender Jakai from Rennes.

Rennes firmly set Jakai’s price above the €60 million fee paid by Manchester City for Doku, aiming to make Jakai their new record signing. Liverpool’s eagerness to acquire talent met Rennes’ demands, resulting in Liverpool paying a staggering total of €72 million to sign Jakai.

According to Italian transfer expert Romano, the transfer fee for Jakai moving from Rennes to Liverpool was €60 million guaranteed plus €12 million in add-ons, while the player’s market value on Transfermarkt is €20 million.

There’s no denying Liverpool is currently wealthy; paying a total of €72 million for a player valued at €20 million is a significant premium for the 20-year-old French defender. If Jakai performs well in the Premier League, it will be justified, but if he fails, it will be a costly gamble with no return. French clubs are now strong sellers, raising prices specifically for the Premier League and profiting handsomely.

What is your opinion on Liverpool spending €72 million to sign Jakai, who is valued at €20 million and has only made 31 appearances for Rennes’ first team?