Ibrahima Konate's upcoming exit from Liverpool has started to put the wheels in motion for teams who are keen to sign the centre-back this summer.
The defender's contract expires at the end of June, with no extension agreed to take the 27-year-old's stay at Anfield beyond the original five-year deal he signed back in 2021.
With no agreement ultimately reached, Konate is set to leave Liverpool as a free agent, despite the player himself believing that a deal was close in late April.
Now, teams are lining up to take advantage of Liverpool's misfortune, including one team in the Premier League that are on the hunt for a new centre-back.
Chelsea Eye Ibrahima Konate Transfer
Liverpool's Ibrahima Konate hugs Real Madrid's Trent Alexander-Arnold
Following the news of Konate's impending exit, French outlet L'Equipe reports that three teams in Europe are positioning themselves for a possible move.
Real Madrid are touted as one possible destination, having been linked heavily with the French defender in the past year, but with varying levels of interest.
Bayern Munich are another club claimed to be on the radar, as the Bundesliga champions search the market for other options to improve their own backline.
Then there's interest from the Premier League in the form of Chelsea, as the report claims that Xabi Alonso intends to "try his luck" in convincing Konate to join the Blues.
Ibrahima Konate Related
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Liverpool are set to lose Ibrahima Konate as a free agent this summer, after failing to agree a new contract.
The former Liverpool midfielder recently announced his move to Stamford Bridge as manager, and is believed to have some sway in sorting transfers out over the summer months.
Centre-back has been a problem position for Chelsea in the past season, along with a lack of experience, with Konate bringing the ability to cover both of those areas comfortably.
It remains to be seen whether the Blues have a chance of sealing a move for the defender, however, with a lack of European football possibly playing a role in any decision.
Either way, the destination of Konate won't be known for a while, as the report adds that the soon-to-be ex-Liverpool man will travel to the World Cup with France without knowing what the future holds.
Liverpool's Selling Frustration
Arne Slot
While Liverpool have sold well at times in recent history, there will be some frustration that the club has lost some key players for next to nothing.
Important figures such as Andy Robertson, Mohamed Salah, and Roberto Firmino have all been allowed to leave after impressive careers, but without any transfer fee to show for it.
Add Trent Alexander-Arnold to the list, having moved to Real Madrid for just £10 million as he ran down his contract, and it gets all the more frustrating.
Konate will follow in the footsteps of Alexander-Arnold just one year later, running down a deal that will now see a player nearing their peak age leave for nothing, or next to nothing.
Chaos off the pitch when it comes to contract renewals and transfer decisions has now led to chaos on the pitch, and it's no surprise that it has shown in the results and performances of the past year.
While there is a desire to reach the top once again, Liverpool must stabilise first and break the cycle of playing catch-up with the make-up of their own squad.