Liverpool are eager to sign RB Leipzig defender Ibrahima Konate and bring him to Anfield as they look to strengthen their squad for the next season.
According to reports from ESPN, Liverpool has agreed to sign the defender from RB Leipzig on a five-year contract. The 22-year-old defender has already completed his medical and is ready to complete his move to Anfield. The Bundesliga defender is currently set to compete at the Under-21 European Championship with France this summer.
The Reds had a rollercoaster season as they faced a lot of ups and downs throughout the season. Jurgen Klopp’s side was criticized for the depth in their squad as Liverpool’s defense looked vulnerable throughout the season. Liverpool could only manage to keep 12 clean sheets this season in the Premier League.
The former Premier League champion’s defense line was exposed after their heart of defense Virgil van Dijk got injured. He was ruled out for the season very early on in the 2020-21 campaign. Partnering with him the England International Joel Gomez also suffered an injury. Moreover, their center backs were cursed as a result of which they made nearly 25 different center-back partnerships in this extraordinary season.
However, with so many ups and downs, Liverpool finds themselves finishing 3rd in the Premier League table. This means that the Reds have qualified for the Champions League and could pay Konate’s €41.5m release clause. Which will bring Konate to Anfield before the start of next season.
How Liverpool could line-up with Konate?
Liverpool has agreed on personal terms with Konate offering him a 5-year deal which keeps the Frenchmen until 2026 at Anfield. Konate’s arrival will also mean that Ozan Kabak will not stay at the club.
According to the sources from ESPN, Liverpool are willing to listen to offers for Nat Phillips this summer while Rhys Williams could leave on loan. While Nathaniel Phillips, who still has 2 years left in his contract could leave as he might not get much playing time once the likes of Van Dijk, Joe Gomez, and Joel Matip return.
Konate is tall and strong with a great pace and has improved a lot with the ball. He has also improved his tactical awareness while working with Julian Nagelsmann at Leipzig. Jurgen Klopp is already a big fan of the Frenchmen and wants Ibrahima Konate to partner with Virgil van Dijk next season.
One can imagine Liverpool lining up with two 6 foot tall defenders having some real pace. The Red’s defence line will surely get a boost after the joining of Konate in their defensive line.
