Dayot Upamecano has been a hot topic in the world of football over the last few months, with Liverpool even getting linked with a potential move for the centre-back.
Upamecano’s contract is set to expire at the end of the 2025-26 season, with no signs of a renewal yet in place.
Talks between Bayern and the Frenchman have been held, but with teams such as Liverpool and Real Madrid interested in signing him, Upamecano seems to be keeping his options open.
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One key area Liverpool must bolster in the January or summer transfer window is their centre-back.
At the moment, they only have four senior options available to them, with one of them ruled out for around a year due to an ACL tear.
Brentford v Liverpool - Premier League
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Many rumours have been shared about potential targets, but according to Upamecano, the Reds already have one of the best centre-backs in the world among their ranks.
Dayot Upamecano thinks that Ibrahima Konate is one of the best defenders in the world
Ibrahima Konate’s form for Liverpool this season has been rather spotty so far.
The centre-back has single-handedly cost Liverpool points on more than one occasion this term as he’s put in some of his worst-ever performances.
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Virgil van Dijk has tried to pick up the pieces, but unfortunately, it hasn’t been enough.
However, Konate’s lack of form hasn’t stopped Upamecano from lauding his fellow countryman, with the rumoured Liverpool target stating that Konate is one of the “best” defenders in the world.
“I think that I’m one of the best [in the world],” he said during France’s press conference.
“But there are also some very good defenders, like William Saliba and Ibrahima Konaté, so I think that, above all, I am surrounded by the best both with France and at Bayern Munich.”
Ibrahima Konate’s contract situation is likely to hang over his head at Liverpool
Although fans will think that footballers should just get on with their jobs when their contract is about to expire, it’s not hard to see why Konate not having a new deal on the table wouldn’t be negatively affecting him.
Several clubs have been linked with a potential move for the Frenchman, and although Liverpool want to keep him around, an agreement hasn’t been reached just yet.
Talks between Konate and Liverpool are set to continue over the international break, with Richard Hughes hoping to find a resolution soon.
Liverpool sporting director Richard Hughes attends Man City vs Liverpool in the Premier League.
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Clubs such as Real Madrid have been linked with a move for the Frenchman, with the La Liga outfit looking to sway his head and get him to leave Anfield for nothing, much like Trent Alexander-Arnold.
It’s unclear what the future has in store for Liverpool and Konate, but if Arne Slot wants him to get back to his best before the end of the season, he must help figure out a way to get the Frenchman’s contract sorted.