Former France World Cup winner Christophe Dugarry didn't hold back in his criticism of Liverpool 's big-money signing of defender Jeremy Jacquet , unleashing on the Premier League club's transfer strategy even as supporters and analysts defend the move.
The transfer, completed late in the winter window, has quickly become one of the most talked-about deals involving a young defender despite the fact he will not arrive at Anfield until the summer.
However, Dugarry's comments focused less on Jacquet 's qualities as a player and more on what he sees as an inflated valuation that clubs like Liverpool are all too willing to pay.
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Speaking on the RMC Sport podcast "Rothen s'enflamme," Dugarry made his feelings clear in a rant that has since gone viral.
"This isn't meant to offend the player, honestly, he's not to blame at all, and we wish him all the best because he's a good player. But when you have suckers like that… well done to Rennes .
"Rennes managed to find a sucker like Liverpool that was [willing to pay £60m]," Dugarry said.
His choice of language reflects frustration over what he sees as excessive spending on a defender who has only recently broken into senior football, with around 50-plus appearances for Rennes before the move.
Dugarry's critique is not isolated to Jacquet's price tag alone, but also touches on broader trends in the modern transfer market where young talents command enormous fees relative to their experience.
The transfer itself stems from Liverpool agreeing a deal with Rennes worth around £60 million, including add-ons, with Jacquet set to join in the summer after being loaned back for the remainder of the current campaign.
Rennes, who have positioned Jacquet as one of their most promising defensive prospects, will benefit from the fee, which eclipses some recent record sales for the club, and demonstrates their ability to develop talent valued at elite levels.
Critics like Dugarry admit Jacquet's potential but argue the price and pressure that comes with a seven-figure move could unfairly burden a 20-year-old whose senior appearances remain limited.
Supporters of the deal counter that Liverpool have been monitoring Jacquet's development for months, and the fee reflects both his potential and the modern market realities where elite clubs compete fiercely for emerging defenders.
That market context also saw Chelsea involved earlier in negotiations before Jacquet's preference for Liverpool became clear, increasing competition and reinforcing Liverpool's long-term planning rather than short-term need.
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