Ibrahima Konate has taken a sledgehammer to reports linking him with a move to Liverpool, telling Sport BILD that he plans to stay at Bundesliga giants RB Leipzig until 2023.
Many a Reds supporter was disappointed to learn, back in February, that Dayot Upamecano was heading to Munich rather than Merseyside.
And it seems that, contrary to popular belief, the other Leipzig defender will not be on his way to Anfield either.
The Athletic reported a fortnight ago that Liverpool were close to wrapping up a deal that would have seen Konate move to England during the summer transfer window.
The 2020 Premier League champions were apparently willing to trigger the £35 million release clause in his contract.
The trail has gone from red-hot to ice-cold since then, however.
And Konate has now used an interview with BILD to nail his colours to the Leipzig mast, with Julian Nagelsmann’s side still boasting an outside chance of overhauling Bayern in the Bundesliga title race.
“I have a contract until 2023. And contracts are there to be fulfilled,” the France U21 international claimed.
“There are often rumours in football and many believe them immediately. I or my agents did not get a call from Liverpool.
“I also have big goals with RB Leipzig: These are attaining the best possible result in the Bundesliga, reaching the DFB Pokal final and winning the U21 European Championship with France.”
We can probably file this one under ‘not happening’, then.
Of course, if Liverpool opt to turn Ozan Kabak’s loan deal into a permanent transfer, they might not need another Bundesliga youngster anyway.
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