Liverpool have announced their first signing of the summer transfer window.
Ibrahima Konate has joined Liverpool in a £36 million move from Red Bull Leipzig following weeks of intense speculation.
But according to a report, the Reds snubbed their interest in other players in favour of bringing the 22-year-old Frenchman to Anfield.
The Times have reported that Pau Torres of Villarreal was firmly on Liverpool’s radar.
Torres, valued at £55 million [The Times], has been a huge hit in Spain these past couple of seasons but the report has added that Jurgen Klopp preferred Konate after speaking with Leipzig’s former sporting director Ralf Rangnick about the player.
Destined for the Premier League
Still, Torres will more than likely get a huge move to the Premier League eventually.
The 24-year-old, who is the quickest defender in Spanish football [La Razon], is heavily linked with moves to Manchester City and Manchester United.
He was on the winning side against his potential suitors on Thursday night when Villarreal beat the Red Devils on penalties to lift the Europa League trophy.
Liverpool are going to come up against Torres sooner or later and it’ll be fascinating to see whether time proves Klopp and Michael Edwards right.
After all, the Reds could have signed Timo Werner last summer but wound up snubbing that deal and spending similar money on Diogo Jota in a brave but ultimately very shrewd gamble.
And hopefully for the Anfield side, this one will pay off too.
Receive exclusive football transfer news and updates twice a week to your mailbox
