RB Leipzig centre-back Ibrahima Konate has reportedly emerged on the radar of Liverpool, who could be in the market for a centre-back.
According to reputed German journalist Christian Falk, Liverpool have turned their attention towards Ibrahima Konate over a move in a future transfer window. The Premier League champions could be in the market for a centre-back, with Konate’s RB Leipzig teammate Dayot Upamecano also on their radar.
Konate joined RB Leipzig from FC Sochaux in the summer of 2017, but has since only made gradual progress in his career. The youngster featured regularly in his first two campaigns with the German outfit, but has seen his growth being curtailed by a long-term knee injury.
Till date, Konate has turned out 84 times for Leipzig and despite his injury woes, he is still quite highly regarded by several big-name clubs. One such high profile name is Liverpool, who have the Frenchman in their sights over a possible move in a future transfer window.
By now, it is common knowledge that Liverpool could well have to enter the transfer market for a cenre-back in the January transfer window. Jurgen Klopp is set to be bereft of the services of first-choice central defensive duo of Virgil van Dijk and Joe Gomez, both of whom are currently recovering from their respective long-term knee injuries.
In their absence, Joel Matip is the only recognised senior centre half at the disposal of Klopp, who has also had to make use of young, raw defenders Nat Phillips and Rhys Williams apart from a makeshift option in Fabinho. While Fabinho has excelled at the heart of the Liverpool defence, it is imprudent for the Reds to keep on putting up a brave front considering Matip’s history of injuries.
As a result, Liverpool have been linked with a number of centre-backs in the last month or so, with Torino’s Gleison Bremer among those on their radar. The latest player to emerge as a possible target for Liverpool is Konate, with Falk suggesting that the 21-year-old is on their shortlist of defensive targets.
Falk has also suggested that Konate’s teammate at Leipzig, Dayot Upamecano is also firmly on the Reds’ agenda. Upamecano has indeed been linked with Liverpool previously and could be a fine option for Liverpool. Falk, though, has not pointed as to when Liverpool plan on making a move for either player, if at all.
It will, therefore, be interesting to see how Liverpool proceed and act on their interest in Konate and/or Upamecano. For now, it looks like the French duo are on the Premier League champions’ shortlist of defensive targets.
