A priority for Chelsea ahead of the summer transfer window will be to sort out the club’s options at centre-back and bring in one or two, like Liverpool’s Ibrahima Konate.
Chelsea currently have 10 first-team options that can play in the middle of the defence. Two of those are out on loan, in Aaron Anselmino and Axel Disasi. Josh Acheampong has been added to Barcelona’s list.
Wesley Fofana, Trevoh Chalobah, Benoit Badiashile, Mamadou Sarr, Tosin Adarabioyo, Levi Colwill, and Jorrel Hato are also options. Clearly, that is too many, and some decisions will be made this summer.
One of many problems on the pitch at the moment 🤦♂️
Chelsea's Wesley Fofana
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According to some reports, Chelsea are open to offers for Tosin, Badiashile and Chalobah. Anselmino may go on loan again and Disasi’s future seems to be anything but Chelsea. New signings are also expected.
Chelsea monitoring Ibrahima Konate with Liverpool deal ending
Liverpool have endured a poor season, and Konate has been a key player. Arne Slot’s side have gone from Premier League winners to fifth position, and Chelsea are hoping to turn that into sixth place.
Konate has made plenty of mistakes along the way. Despite improving of late and returning to the France National Team, Konate’s contract at Anfield is due to expire in June. Chelsea are said to be keeping tabs.
Manchester City v Liverpool - Emirates FA Cup Quarter Final
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Indeed, TeamTalk claim Chelsea and Man City have shown interest in keeping Konate in England’s top tier, while Real Madrid, Barcelona, Bayern Munich, and Inter Milan are also said to be interested in signing him.
But Liverpool, perhaps concerned about losing Konate for nothing, have made moves to get the defender to sign a new deal. L’Equipe now say that Konate is closer than ever to signing a new Anfield contract.
It’s not the first time Chelsea have considered Konate
Back in 2025, with the summer window approaching, it was claimed that Chelsea actually made an enquiry to sign Konate from Liverpool. Of course, it was rejected or ignored because Konate remains.
Would you take Mohamed Salah back at Chelsea?👀
Gary Neville tips Mohamed Salah for Chelsea
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But it shows that Chelsea are long-term admirers of Konate, and if the defender is available and willing to leave Liverpool, then Chelsea will certainly be among the frontrunners to land Konate’s signature.
As things stand, Konate looks set to belatedly agree a new contract with Liverpool. But anything can happen in football, and an eleventh-hour change of heart is possible until something is confirmed.
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