Liverpool are reportedly set to prioritise a summer move for Ibrahima Konate in a deal that could be worth around £34 million.
According to a report by Sunday World, Ibrahima Konate is a priority transfer target for Liverpool ahead of the summer transfer window. The RB Leipzig defender could be on his way to Anfield in a deal worth around £34 million, although the Reds might need to raise funds by selling a few stars.
Konate has been with RB Leipzig since the summer of 2017 and is widely regarded as one of several highly promising youngsters that have emanated out of France in recent years. However, his growth has been hampered by a number of long-term injuries, although he is still viewed as a fine prospect.
Till date, Konate has managed 89 appearances for Die Roten Bullen, even chipping in with 4 goals and an assist. Despite his fitness woes, the bigwigs across Europe have not been swayed away from him, and currently, Liverpool are hot on the 21-year-old French defender’s trails.
Liverpool have been a right mess since the turn of the year in the Premier League, with the absence of the likes of Virgil van Dijk and Jordan Henderson among others being telling. The Reds are now fretting over their top four prospects and ahead of the summer transfer window, it is certain that Jurgen Klopp’s squad will be overhauled.
Defence is one of the areas that must be addressed by Liverpool despite the fact that Ben Davies and Ozan Kabak arrived at Anfield. Indeed, while there are no guarantees that Kabak will be signed permanently in the summer, Davies has been struggling with fitness issues.
With Joel Matip also facing a spate of injuries in recent years, it is clear that Liverpool can do with a long-term central defensive solution, especially with the report suggesting that Matip could be one of the players to be offloaded by the Reds this summer to raise funds for transfers. To that end, a move for Konate does make sense for Liverpool.
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In addition to the 21-year-old, Chancel Mbemba has also been linked as a possible target, whereas Kalidou Koulibaly could be a star signing too. However, as per Sunday World, Konate will be the priority for Liverpool in the summer, in what would be a move worth around £34 million.
The aforementioned transfer fee will not burden Liverpool a great deal either, potentially making the signing of Konate a value for money. It now remains to be seen if Liverpool do indeed end up securing the services of the Frenchman in the summer or turn their attention elsewhere.
