Ibrahima Konate is set to leave Liverpool on a free transfer this summer, and Reds supporters may not like who he is being linked with.
It seems almost certain that Konate has played his final game for Liverpool, with reliable journalist Lewis Steele providing a significant update on his future, saying:
“Ibrahima Konate’s exit from Liverpool is a distinct possibility after latest round of talks. As soon as last night, the situation was ongoing. Small details held up the renewal. No definites but let’s see what happens. Bizarre situation.”
Plenty of Liverpool fans will be unhappy to see a Premier League-winning centre-back leave on a free transfer, and he is now being linked with a shock summer move to rivals Chelsea.
According to L’Equipe, the Blkues are keen on bringing the Frenchman to Stamford Bridge, as Xabi Alonso looks to sign an experienced central defender ahead of next season.
Real Madrid, Bayern Munich and Paris Saint-Germain are all mentioned as potential destinations for Konate, who clearly isn’t going to be without suitors.
Who should Liverpool replace Ibrahima Konate with?
Liverpool have a big decision to make when it comes to replacing Konate, with the 27-year-old a possible big loss, having been lauded by Virgil van Dijk in the past:
“The qualities he has are outstanding in my opinion. He is learning, growing, getting better and looking after himself much better in order to be ready every three days as that’s what asked. And also we have a young player behind him in Jarrell, who is also doing well. We have to keep pushing each other and he is doing a good job.”
Jeremy Jacquet is already coming as a highly-rated centre-back from Rennes, and Giovanni Leoni is also an enormous talent, so Liverpool may be wise to go with an older head who can come in and provide great competition for them.
He would also need to be good enough to start alongside Van Dijk, rather than being a player past his best, and it will be interesting to see who Michael Edwards and Richard Hughes go for.
Konate has enjoyed an excellent five years at Liverpool, and while this season was probably his worst for the club, they would be a better team if he had signed a contract extension.