Liverpool look likely to sign Ibrahima Konate this summer, according to journalist Rory Smith.
The Reds are desperately in need of defensive reinforcements, with Jurgen Klopp left depleted in that area this season.
Although a January signing is looking increasingly unlikely, it seems almost certain that a centre-back will be brought in at the end of the season.
Speaking on the Guardian‘s Football Weekly podcast, Smith gave a major hint that RB Leipzig star Konate would head to Anfield:
I think Liverpool intend to sign a centre-back in the summer and I think that central defender is probably someone they will play against in the Champions League last 16. And I don’t think it’s going to be Dayot Upamecano.
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Although fellow Leipzig man Dayot Upamecano has earned more column inches than Konate recently, the latter is arguably just as a big a prospect.
The 21-year-old has won an impressive average of 3.0 aerial duels per game in his six Bundesliga appearances this season, with dominance in the air something Liverpool are reportedly looking for in a new centre-back.
The only concern is that Konate has been plagued by injuries at times during his career to date, which the Reds can’t afford to keep happening to their defenders.
They need to sign someone who is reliable in the fitness department, in order to eradicate the current issue at the back.
