‘Liverpool could complete centre-back deal within a week as transfer search heats up'

‘Liverpool could complete centre-back deal within a week as transfer search heats up’

Liverpool’s search for a new centre-back could be complete within a week.

Arne Slot is likely to require another centre-back with speculation around the future of Ibrahima Konate and Jarell Quansah close to completing a move to Bayer Leverkusen.

The Premier League champions have already been busy this transfer window and that looks set to continue.

Florian Wirtz and Jeremine Frimpong have both joined from Leverkusen and Milos Kerkez is also set to be a Liverpool player next season.

Quansah is to leave Liverpool this summer.

Konate future will decide transfer decision

The Daily Mail‘s Liverpool reporter Lewis Steele reported that with Quansah’s move to Leverkusen “all but done,” activity for a centre back could intensify over the coming weeks.

Steele believes the club like Ajax’s Jorrel Hato and are keen not to miss out on another promising young defender again.

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Steele also states that Liverpool want someone who can “grow into a Virgil van Dijk replacement.”

Any move though may need to wait until the future of Konate is resolved and Steele said his contract situation is “leaving Liverpool in a difficult position.”

Steele does goes on to say though: “It is clear that the two parties’ desires are slightly misaligned but that does not mean an agreement will not be found.

“A lot will rest on whether Konate wants to stay or not — and that is not really clear at this stage.”

Konate’s future at Liverpool is unclear. (Credit: Imago)

Slot needs quick resolution from Konate

Football Insider verdict

The future of Konate looks to be in the hands of the player, but the longer this contract saga continues for the worse it will be for Slot.

The Dutchman will hope he can strike a deal to keep the Frenchman at Anfield, but if that cannot happen then a quick decision is best for both parties.

Van Dijk gets the plaudits in defence, but Konate was a vital cog in the side that won the league last season.

Konate appeared in 31 of the 38 matches as the Reds claimed their second Premier League title by a 10 point margin.

Appearances 132 Goals 5 Assists 4 Konate’s record at Liverpool

Liverpool’s only recognised centre-back to play alongside van Dijk would be Joe Gomez if Konate and Quansah depart.

There is also speculation around Gomez’s future at the club, so Slot may be reluctant to also let him leave.

With pre-season matches set to commence in the coming weeks, Slot needs to know his centre-back pairing ahead of the new season.

Crystal Palace defender Marc Guehi is linked with Liverpool amongst other Premier League clubs, so Slot may look to intensify that interest in the coming weeks.

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