The latest on Ibrahima Konate suggests urgency is needed from FSG if they want to lock down the Liverpool star.
The first half of the season painted Konate in a rather unfavourable light.
The Frenchman was at the scene of the crime for many of Liverpool’s defensive lapses during that woeful pre-Christmas run.
But recent weeks have seen him turn that bad form around, and now Liverpool fans are desperate for Konate to stay.
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With negotiations over a new deal still ongoing, here’s the latest on Konate’s contract situation from Liverpool reporter Paul Gorst.
Jury is still out on Ibrahima Konate’s Liverpool future
The 26-year-old was immense last season as Liverpool won the Premier League, and there weren’t many questioning the quality of him and Virgil van Dijk as a partnership.
His up-and-down season so far almost saw Liverpool fans lose faith, but they’re back on his side.
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That might not mean much in the end, though. The reality is that he could well leave, and the next few weeks will be decisive.
Paul Gorst told The Redmen TV: I still think this could go either way. I guess, the talks still ongoing suggest that Konate hasn’t ruled out staying at the club.
“I think the next month or so might be critical. The next six to eight weeks maybe.”
Ibrahima Konate celebrates with Virgil van Dijk and Dominik Szoboszlai after scoring for Liverpool in their Premier League match against Newcastle United at Anfield.
Photo by Liverpool FC/Liverpool FC via Getty Images
Gorst is pretty convinced that resigning the centre-back is the right move, considering the efforts they would have to make to replace him.
He continues: “I think if Liverpool are to replace Konate, I suppose you could say they’ve maybe already done it with Jeremy Jacquet, but how much would a Konate replacement cost on the market?
“And then you’ve got to factor in the wages as well. I think maybe the devil you know is the best course of action for Liverpool.”
Liverpool’s failed move for Marc Guehi showed the financial challenges that come with attracting elite talent, and it would be a hell of a lot easier to stick with Konate.
Liverpool’s options if Konate leaves
As a fun little exercise, let’s run through some of the options that could work if Konate does decide to leave Anfield.
Firstly, the names linked. You have Micky van de Ven, Alessandro Bastoni, Nico Schlotterbeck, Gleison Bremer and Murillo.
Change my mind: Liverpool would be CRAZY to let Konate leave 😣
He is back to his best!
Ibrahima Konate battles with Brian Brobbey during Liverpool's Premier League match against Sunderland at the Stadium of Light (Credit: Getty Images/Stu Forster).
Photo Credit: Getty Images/Stu Forster
But there’s others who could be considered. Like Castello Lukeba at RB Leipzig, Goncalo Inacio at Sporting, Edmond Tapsoba at Leverkusen, and even someone like Antonio Rudiger, whose contract at Real Madrid is set to expire in the summer.
Maybe a free transfer for a season to help integrate Jacquet and Giovanni Leoni. Or maybe that’s mental…
Whatever the case, it’s becoming clear that the best option is to keep Konate at the club.
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