Liverpool are close to finalising the signing of RB Leipzig defender Ibrahima Konate after agreeing a five-year contract with the Frenchman, according to reports.
As reported by Daily Mail at the end of March, the Reds were looking to finalise a £33million deal for the French Under-21 international.
Now The Guardian claim an agreement is on the verge of being reached between the Anfield side and their Bundesliga counterparts, with the former ready to pay the 21-year-old’s £30.5m release clause.
The reported signing would see Liverpool sign a centre-back who has also been linked with a move to bitter rivals Manchester United, and the report adds the Reds have beaten off stiff competition from other English sides too, with Chelsea also interested.
The same outlet adds the deal once again highlights the excellent relationship between Liverpool and Leipzig, with the former having signed midfielder Naby Keita for £52.7m three years ago from the Red Bull arena.
Konate has made 92 appearances across all competitions for Julian Nagelsmann’s side since joining in 2017 from French side Sochaux, with that limited figure down to injuries he has picked up along the way.
His arrival would add reinforcements to an area where Jurgen Klopp’s men have struggled so far this season in their title defence, with Virgil van Dijk, Joe Gomez and Joel Matip effectively out for the remainder of the campaign.
Midfielders Jordan Henderson and Fabinho have been asked to fill in at the backline throughout the season, with the duo suffering injury problems themselves, while rookie defenders Nat Phillips and Rhys Williams have also been called upon.
The Reds addressed the issue in January by signing Ozan Kabak on loan from Schalke and Ben Davies on a permanent deal from Preston.
And after a shaky start, Kabak has gone on to impress and form a partnership with Phillips during the second half of the season.
The injury problems have however ultimately derailed Liverpool’s season, with Klopp’s side sitting in seventh in the Premier League, having been eliminated from both domestic cup competitions and the Champions League.
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