According to the Sunday World, Liverpool have made initial contact over a possible deal to sign RB Leipzig defender Ibrahima Konate this summer.
It’s claimed that Dayot Upamecano’s confirmed move to Bayern Munich now means clubs are having to look for other centre back targets – and they may not have to look very far.
Liverpool, Manchester United and even Chelsea are thought to have turned their attention to Ibrahima Konate instead, with initial enquiries now made.
Leipzig would no doubt hate lose Konate with Upamecano already on his way out, but there now seems to be huge interest in his signature.
Konate, 21, joined Leipzig from Sochaux in 2017, and has emerged as one of the top young centre backs in Europe during his time in Germany.
The 6ft 4in Frenchman has made 87 appearances for Leipzig now, but an ankle problem has limited his impact this season, with the defender no doubt hoping to feature in key Champions League games in the second of the season – starting with Liverpool.
Tall, strong, comfortable in possession and with a turn of pace, Konate looks to be a star of the future, so it’s no great shock that he’s now wanted just like Upamecano was.
However, Liverpool did just bring in Ben Davies and Ozan Kabak, and Konate may be seen as a long-term option rather than the two deadline day signings, who could just be stop-gaps.
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