Chelsea ‘intend to try their luck’ with defender Ibrahima Konaté this summer as he leaves Liverpool on a free transfer.
L’Equipe report that Xabi Alonso’s side intend to put their name into the hat for the Frenchman as he gears up to leave Anfield.
Liverpool exit
The newspaper cover Ibrahima Konaté’s departure today after reports on Thursday evening that he was no longer signing a new deal with the Reds.
The centre-back is set to be a free agent this summer but had seemed destined to sign a new five-year deal at Anfield just a month ago. Now the Frenchman appears to be on his way out as well.
The newspaper reports that is due to ‘internal disagreements’ over finances behind the scenes, and how they will be allocated. But other suitors have also started pushing the defender as well.
According to L’Equipe’s information, they have ‘entered into much more concrete negotiations’ to try and secure the 27-year-old’s signature. They were there a month ago and are very much in the picture now.
Chelsea offer
And the offers are concrete enough that Ibrahima Konaté has been given ‘pause for thought’. Chelsea are one of those who are keen. They are described as a suitor who ‘intend to try their luck’ this summer.
Real Madrid have also maintained contact with him, as have Bayern Munich. None are out in front at this moment in time. In fact, Konaté is expected to travel to the World Cup on June 10th without a clear picture over his future.
That suggest he will consider Chelsea’s offer carefully. The Blues are, on paper, less attractive than the pair of European giants.
But a centre-back has been a priority for some time, despite there being six in the current squad. Eight if you include Jorrel Hato and Josh Acheampong.
Konaté would come in as the immediate leader of the group, something that might be tempting after years of being the understudy to Virgil van Dijk at Anfield.