RB Leipzig defender Ibrahima Konate has already undergone medical tests with Liverpool, according to RMC Sport, as rumours surrounding his potential switch to the Premier League champions enter overdrive.
At this stage, who knows what to believe?
When asked to comment on the speculation, Konate and Leipzig sporting director Markus Krosche both played things down yesterday. The latter even suggested his France U21 international wouldn’t be going anywhere this summer (Goal).
However, according to a couple of well placed and usually reliable sources, Krosche’s claims may be a little wide of the mark.
The Athletic states Jurgen Klopp’s side are in advanced talks over a deal that would see Konate swap Leipzig for Liverpool.
RMC, meanwhile, believes the Paris-born 21-year-old has already completed part of his medical with the Merseyside giants.
Given Konate has been restricted to just four Bundesliga starts in 2020/21 because of a series of injury issues, you can understand why Liverpool would be proceeding cautiously.
Three years ago, the Reds famously backed out of a £53 million deal for World Cup winner Nabil Fekir after a potential problem was uncovered during medical tests at Melwood.
Now, Krosche may be confident of keeping Konate at the Red Bull Arena for another year. But with a £35 million release clause in the defender’s contract – one Liverpool are willing to trigger (ESPN) – Leipzig may be powerless to prevent his departure.
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