Liverpool, fresh off a commanding Premier League title victory, have reportedly made a definitive decision regarding the future of defender Ibrahima Konate amidst swirling transfer rumours. The Anfield giants, who have experienced a bustling summer transfer window, are edging closer to securing the services of two new players, bolstering an already impressive squad.
Manager Arne Slot, enjoying the unwavering support of the Liverpool board following his successful inaugural campaign, has orchestrated the arrivals of Florian Wirtz, Hugo Ekitike, Jeremie Frimpong, and Milos Kerkez. However, departures have been necessary to accommodate these additions, with Darwin Nunez heading to Al-Hilal and Luis Diaz joining Bayern Munich. Konate, whose contract is in its final year, has been another subject of transfer speculation, with Real Madrid reportedly hovering.
With Liverpool seeking to bring in two new centre-backs before the September 1 deadline, conjecture surrounding Konate’s future had intensified. Nevertheless, The Daily Mirror has quashed these rumours, affirming Liverpool’s intention to retain the Frenchman, even if deals for Crystal Palace captain Marc Guehi and Parma’s Giovanni Leoni materialise.
The publication stated: “Liverpool have no plans to sell Ibrahima Konate even if they are successful in bringing in TWO new central defenders. A deal for Crystal Palace captain Marc Guehi is close.” The Mirror further noted the contrast between Liverpool’s strategy and Palace’s perceived necessity to offload Guehi.
Expressing concern over potentially losing Konate for nothing next summer, Manager Slot admitted: “For players of that calibre to leave on a free, it’s a problem for us unfortunately. We’ll have to see what happens, but it needs a new contract or a conclusion of some kind.”
In related commentary, Manchester United icon Paul Scholes expressed admiration for Liverpool’s transfer strategy so far this summer: “When you win the league, a lot of teams relax, but when we [Manchester United] won the league, we went again. Liverpool have done that.” Reflecting on the Reds’ plans, Scholes noted: “The ambition now is to be the best in Europe. If you bring [Alexander] Isak into it, who is arguably the best centre forward in the world at this point you’d contemplate spending a hefty sum on him, similar to what we would do at United.”
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