As Ibrahima Konate’s contract continues to tick down, Liverpool are reportedly able to make formal contact with a powerful defender who may exchange the Frenchman.
Replace on Konate’s Liverpool contract
As issues stand, Konate will observe in Trent Alexander-Arnold’s footsteps by leaving Liverpool as a free agent in lower than 9 months. Whether or not the defender additionally joins the right-back at Actual Madrid is one other query. The Spaniards are reportedly on the hunt for a centre-back and Konate is on their listing in what ought to spark main concern at Anfield.
Alas, there’s nonetheless time for issues to alter. The Reds waited till the second-half of final season to tie Virgil van Dijk and Mohamed Salah all the way down to new offers and may have comparable persistence with Konate.
All hope is not misplaced simply but, both.
In response to The Athletic’s David Ornstein, talks are ongoing, and each events have discovered themselves at a stalemate relatively than any level of rejection at this stage.
“There’s been reviews he is rejected a brand new contract, he is into his last twelve months. I do not suppose it is a lot a rejection, possibly extra of a stalemate or a scarcity of an settlement, principally, however I am instructed talks are energetic. They’re ongoing, however nothing is shut simply but.” (David Ornstein instructed NBC Sports activities)
These at Anfield are understandably nonetheless getting ready for a world during which Konate does depart the membership.
The likes of Marc Guehi have been talked about once more as a possible alternative on that entrance. The Crystal Palace man got here inside hours of becoming a member of Liverpool in the summertime, earlier than the South London membership pulled the plug on deadline day.
He is nonetheless very a lot on their radar, however as competitors begins to reach for his signature, Michael Edwards and Richard Hughes could have to show in the direction of another contract insurgent in 2026.
As reported by TeamTalk, Liverpool at the moment are readying formal contact with Dayot Upamecano in January, when he’ll be capable to seal a pre-contract settlement if he’s but to place pen to paper on a brand new Bayern Munich deal at that stage.
The £9m-a-year (£167,000-per-week) France worldwide is in the identical boat as Konate.
Each former RB Leipzig defenders are but to signal new contracts at their respective golf equipment and each are attracting loads of curiosity in consequence. For Liverpool, swapping one imperious centre-back for one more with out spending a single penny would probably be a really perfect situation.
|
League stats P90 25/26 |
Upamecano |
Konate |
|---|---|---|
|
Minutes |
427 |
562 |
|
Progressive Passes |
4.04 |
6.28 |
|
Tackles Received |
0.64 |
1.29 |
|
Ball Recoveries |
6.38 |
2.58 |
While Konate has thus far edged Upamecano in possession, and when requested to win his tackles, the latter’s ball restoration price has definitely been spectacular.
As Van Dijk enters the later phases of his profession, that aggression from somebody like Upamencano can be a significant trait. It will permit the Dutchman to regulate play from afar while his companion steps out.
Described as a “implausible” participant by France teammate Lucas Hernandez, the Bayern contract insurgent is somebody to look at if Konate leaves Liverpool as a free agent subsequent summer time.
