Ibrahima Konate
FRANKFURT AM MAIN, GERMANY – OCTOBER 22: Virgil van Dijk of Liverpool FC, Ibrahima Konate of Liverpool FC during the UEFA Champions League match between Eintracht Frankfurt and Liverpool
In January, Sport Witness covered Inter Milan’s interest in Liverpool’s Ibrahima Konate.
L’Interista were certain of the chase, clarifying that the Nerazzurri will make a formal offer for the player in January. It was believed €15m could be enough to seal the deal due to Konate’s contract situation.
The centre-back’s deal at Liverpool runs out in the summer and Inter saw him as a possible replacement for Stefan De Vrij. The Dutchman was initially expected to depart the Serie A side last month.
There are now updates about the situation, with the Reds potentially keeping Konate.
Liverpool negotiations posing difficulty for Inter
L’Interista report Cristian Chivu’s side actually made an offer for Konate in January. They put forward €15m for his signature and despite initial signs of promise, this approach was rejected.
Despite that, Inter haven’t given up. They’ve maintained contact with the France international’s entourage to take advantage of any opportunity that pops up to land him.
Their task is being made complex by Liverpool, who are in contract talks with Konate. The reason the Merseyside club rejected a January offer is because they are very keen on keeping him beyond this season.
The 26-year-old also has offers from other European clubs and that’s another problem for Inter Milan.
Inter not giving up on Konate
All of this should be discouraging but Inter are still trying to make in-roads over a deal. They are waiting to see if Liverpool actually tie Konate down to a new contract or not. If things don’t progress, the Nerazzurri will be in the mix for the signing in the summer.
This is understandable, especially since De Vrij and Francesco Acerbi can leave Inter at the end of the season. At that point, Chivu’s side will have to sign younger defenders to improve their backline.
Signing a player of Konate’s quality for free would be an ideal scenario, especially considering how finances operate in Serie A. Inter are experts are sniffing out deals like that and landing the centre-back would fit their approach.