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Richard Hughes looks at the media during a press conference | Liverpool FC via Getty Images
Liverpool are planning their transfer business as they prepare to make further changes at Anfield
Arne Slot and Liverpool sporting director Richard Hughes are now ‘contemplating’ the club’s approach to replacing Ibrahima Konate amid ongoing difficulties with contract talks.
The centre-back is quickly approaching the end of his terms at Anfield and will be free to enter pre-contract conversations with overseas clubs in the new year. This will open the door for interested clubs to start laying the foundations for a potential summer deal.
Real Madrid are reportedly still interested in Konate, despite some contrasting updates suggesting they were focusing on other targets. Paris Saint-Germain are also linked with the 26-year-old and are said to be long-time admirers of the local talent.
Liverpool draw up three-man shortlist to replace Ibrahima Konate
According to CaughtOffside, Hughes and Slot are now considering Liverpool’s next steps in their plans to boost their defence.
Konate is still no closer to signing a new contract at Anfield, having already rejected three approaches from the club. With a little more than six months left on his current deal, the Reds must consider bringing in someone to replace him.
The report claims that Liverpool have created a ‘three-man shortlist’ of targets who they could look to sign in 2026. Defence has been a worrisome area for the Premier League champions this season and the future looks uncertain amid talks of both Konate and Joe Gomez leaving the club, as well as Virgil van Dijk approaching his 35th birthday.
One of the names on Liverpool’s shortlist is Jeremy Jacquet of Rennes. Liverpool have ‘extensively scouted’ the 20-year-old this season, with representatives of the club reportedly at multiple Ligue 1 fixtures to watch him in action. Scouts are said to be ‘convinced’ Jacquet can grow into a ‘world class operator’ under Slot.
Borussia Dortmund’s Nico Schlotterbeck is also on the list, as Liverpool have noticed he is also experiencing ‘ongoing contract issues’ with his current club.
The last name is of course, Marc Guehi. Liverpool remain heavily linked with the Crystal Palace star after coming close to signing him on Deadline Day over the summer.
What has been said about Ibrahima Konate?
Konate has earned plenty of praise during his time at Liverpool but some of his performances this season have attracted criticism from fans, pundits and the media alike.
Frustrations grew when the Frenchman recently gave away a penalty against Leeds United, allowing the Premier League new boys back into the game, which eventually ended 3-3.
Former Wolves striker Jay Bothroyd described it as a ‘terrible decision’ from Konate, during Sky Sports’ Ref Watch. Elsewhere, Gary Neville analysed the game on his podcast and while he praised Konate’s initial efforts, he went on to say the Frenchman looked ‘all over the place’ when Leeds brought on new players and started to switch things up.
Jamie Carragher has also made his feelings about Konate clear in recent weeks. Following Liverpool’s 3-0 defeat to Manchester City, the former Reds defender said: “Konate was heavily involved in the penalty again, he's having a really tough time and it feels like we're saying it week after week.
“He's not even off the ground and he's trying to flick it on, go and get as high as you can and head that ball away. I don't understand at all what he's trying to do. Konate, again, when Liverpool concede a goal or a problem, he is at the heart of it.”
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