Barcelona will reportedly compete with Real Madrid and Paris Saint-Germain to sign 26-year-old French international Ibrahima Konate from Liverpool this summer.
According to a report by Caught Offside, Ibrahima Konate is the subject of interest from Barcelona. The reigning La Liga champions are keen on signing a centre-back in the summer transfer window and have set their sights on the Liverpool defender. The French international is also a target for Real Madrid and Paris Saint-Germain, with Liverpool demanding £40 million to part ways with him.
Ibrahima Konate and his Liverpool lore
Ibrahima Konate has come leaps and bounds since joining Liverpool from RB Leipzig in July 2021. The 26-year-old has been one of the best centre-backs in the Premier League in the last four years, and he has done well to overcome his fitness issues while becoming a pivotal figure for Liverpool.
The French international has turned out nearly 150 times thus far for Liverpool while chipping in with five goals and four assists. However, Konate’s long-term future is uncertain, as he has entered the final 12 months of his contract. The situation has piqued the attention of several European bigwigs, with Barcelona, Real Madrid, and Paris Saint-Germain vying for his signature in the summer transfer window.
A man in demand
Barcelona may dip into the market for a centre-back this summer amid uncertainties surrounding Andreas Christensen’s long-term future. In addition, Inigo Martinez is on the wrong side of 30 and approaching the twilight of his career. So, Konate is a viable target for Barcelona, although Liverpool’s asking price of £40 million to sell the Frenchman may not suit the Catalan club’s budget.
Meanwhile, Real Madrid’s interest in Ibrahima Konate is understandable. The Merengues are keen on reinforcing their defensive unit by signing a centre-back this summer. While they have already signed Dean Huijsen this summer, Real Madrid can do with another central defender, as Antonio Rudiger and David Alaba are on the wrong side of 30. However, Los Blancos would prefer not to pay more than £25 million to sign the Liverpool contract rebel this summer.
As for PSG, Presnel Kimpembe and Lucas Beraldo face an uncertain future at Parc des Princes. So, PSG can do with a new centre-back in the summer transfer window, and they may be the only club that can afford Liverpool’s asking price of £40 million to sell the Frenchman.
Apart from Barcelona, Real Madrid, and Paris Saint-Germain, Bayern Munich will also pursue Konate’s signature in the summer transfer window. It will be interesting to see what the future holds for the 26-year-old French international amid Liverpool’s eagerness to tie him to a new contract.
