France's defender #24 Ibrahima Konate, France's defender #04 Dayot Upamecano and France's head coach Didier Deschamps take part in an MD-1 training session at Paul Janes Stadium in Duesseldorf on June 16, 2024, on the eve of their UEFA Euro 2024 Group D football match against Austria.placeholder image
France's defender #24 Ibrahima Konate, France's defender #04 Dayot Upamecano and France's head coach Didier Deschamps take part in an MD-1 training session at Paul Janes Stadium in Duesseldorf on June 16, 2024, on the eve of their UEFA Euro 2024 Group D football match against Austria. | AFP via Getty Images
Liverpool have been handed a double transfer boost amid reports of a verbal agreement between a player and Real Madrid
Liverpool are getting ready for another crunch encounter as they aim to keep the momentum going after turning around their recent poor form.
The Reds hit a big slump during October but have beaten Aston Villa and Real Madrid at Anfield in the past week without conceding a goal. Their performance in the Champions League against Madrid proved one of their best of the season, as the 1-0 scoreline flattered the Spanish visitors.
Alexis Mac Allister scored the only goal of the game while much of the talk after the win surrounded Trent Alexander-Arnold’s return to Anfield. The defender was booed when he came off the bench and jeered with every touch while a couple of misplaced passes were cheered by the home support.
The right-back ran down his contract at Liverpool last season in order to seal a straightforward move to Real Madrid, and he has since become an unpopular figure as he gave up his dreams of captaining the Reds in order to seal a move to the Spanish giants.
Real Madrid shift focus away from Ibrahima Konate
He is out of contract in the summer and free to leave from the end of June. He can also agree a pre-contract with any foreign club from January 1.
However, despite the interest from Madrid - Liverpool have been handed a transfer boost. That is because a report in France from Foot Mercato has claimed that “long considered Real Madrid's priority, Konaté, who, according to our sources, would like to join the Spanish capital club, is no longer the focus.”
Their new key target is Dayot Upamecano with the Bayern Munich man described as a “top priority”. The report adds: “With his contract at Bayern Munich expiring in June, the French defender already has a verbal agreement with Real Madrid, according to our exclusive information. His profile and experience, along with the fact that he will be a free agent at the end of the season, make him the perfect player in the eyes of the club's management.”
Double boost as Real Madrid linked with Marc Guehi
Madrid’s focus on Upamecano is also good news in terms of the Reds pursuit of Marc Guehi. Liverpool had agreed a £35m deal to sign the Crystal Palace man on deadline day only for the Eagles to u-turn on the agreement at the last minute.
The England international is out of contract next summer and free to leave Selhurst Park. It is widely believed he will not pen fresh terms with Palace. Now the Daily Mail has reported that “sources in Madrid reckon he has given his word to join the Premier League champions.”
The Spanish club’s pursuit of Upamecano could prove hugely-positive news for Liverpool as it turns them away from both Konate and Guehi. With Virgil Van Dijk aged 34, the Reds need to replace him eventually and having Konate and Guehi in their ranks will help cushion the blow when the Dutchman leaves the Reds or perhaps even retires.
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