Liverpool have reportedly inched further closer to securing the services of Ibrahima Konate, who has passed his medical with the club.
According to a report by French outlet RMC Sport, Liverpool seem to be on the cusp of signing Ibrahima Konate in the summer transfer window. The French under-21 international has passed his medical with the Reds and should be closing in on his switch to Anfield.
Konate is widely regarded as one of the most promising young defenders plying their trade in the Bundesliga. While he has been hampered considerably by a number of injuries in recent seasons, including this, when he has managed to start a mere 9 games across all competitions, his stock has never been hit.
That is evident from the interest that he has been garnering for quite some time now, with some of the biggest clubs in the world having their sights set on him. Chief among these are Liverpool, who have been reported to be prioritising a summer move for the French under-21 international.
Liverpool appear to have learned the lessons of the ongoing season the hard way, especially those pertaining to defence. Having chosen not to replenish Dejan Lovren’s place in the squad with a summer signing, the Reds suffered incredibly owing to the long-term injuries suffered by Virgil van Dijk, Joe Gomez and Joel Matip, the only other senior centre-backs at Jurgen Klopp’s disposal going into the season.
Such a predicament forced the Premier League champions to enter the market for not one but two central defenders in January, signing Ben Davies permanently and Ozan Kabak on loan. While Kabak has been improving slowly, there are no guarantees that he will be signed permanently whereas Davies is yet to make a single appearance for Liverpool.
Youngster Nat Phillips has impress when given an opportunity, but with Matip’s fitness woes worsening with every passing season, it is prudent for Liverpool to invest in a centre-back. While Konate’s own injury issues could put a suitor in two minds, it looks like Liverpool have been clear in pressing forward with a move for the 21-year-old.
It now looks like the Merseyside club are on the verge of signing the RB Leipzig star, who has passed some medical tests with them, as per the report. It now remains to be seen if Liverpool do indeed end up securing the services of Konate, who is said to have a €40 million release clause as well.
