It looks like Liverpool may finally complete their transfer of Ibrahima Konate.
The Reds have been heavily linked with a move for the Red Bull Leipzig defender in recent weeks, after the reliable Fabrizio Romano claimed that a deal was effectively done.
But there’s been a number of reported twists and at one point the Liverpool-linked powerhouse was touted to potentially extend his contract with the Bundesliga side.
But it seems like there may be a breakthrough.
According to The Telegraph, Liverpool will trigger the 22-year-old’s £35 million release clause over the coming days and the move may be finalised before the start of France’s Under-21 European Championship campaign, which Konate will be part of.
They kick off their tournament on Monday and therefore it seems like the deal could be over the line by then, with The Telegraph adding that the Reds feel that the ‘race is won’ regarding his signature.
ESPN also reported today that Konate would put pen to paper on a five-year contract and that Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp is a ‘huge fan’ of the young centre-back.
Welcome addition
It’s no secret that Liverpool need centre-backs.
Well, Virgil van Dijk, Joe Gomez and Joel Matip will be fit by the start of next season, but the Anfield side don’t want to find themselves scraping the barrel for central defenders again.
Despite being defending Premier League champions going into this past season, Klopp’s side finished third and it’s because of those very absences.
They can’t afford another injury crisis on that scale next term and therefore bolstering their options with Konate makes absolute sense.
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