---
title: "Liverpool’s deal for £31.5m defender is ‘pretty much done’ says French news outlet"
canonical: "https://readliverpoolfc.com/news/ibrahima-konate-deal-almost-done/"
type: "post"
language: "en-GB"
author: "Liam Sterling"
section: "Liverpool News"
published: "2021-05-11T14:00:00Z"
modified: "2021-05-11T14:00:00Z"
---

# Liverpool’s deal for £31.5m defender is ‘pretty much done’ says French news outlet

The summer transfer window is fast approaching with this season soon to be coming to an end.

After a difficult season, Liverpool will no doubt look to strengthen their squad in the market.

With the [imminent departure of Gini Wijnaldum](https://readliverpoolfc.com/2021/01/20/gini-wijnaldum-likely-to-leave-liverpool-this-summer-claims-journalist/), the Reds are on the look out for a replacement.

Plenty of names have been mooted with Lyon’s [Houssem Aouar a likely option according to a number of sources](https://readliverpoolfc.com/2021/05/01/liverpool-wijnaldum-aouar-transfer/).

One player that has been heavily linked with the club is RB Leipzig defender Ibrahima Konate.

The Frenchman has been [close to sealing a deal to the Reds for some time now](https://readliverpoolfc.com/2021/05/06/fabrizio-romano-claims-ibrahima-konate-deal-is-really-close/), as reported by Fabrizio Romano.

However, according to French news outlet [Le Parisien](https://www.leparisien.fr/sports/), the deal for Konate is ‘pretty much done’…

> 👀 | Ibrahima Konate to Liverpool is pretty much a done deal.\
> \
> \[Le Parisien\] [pic.twitter.com/tLyeFgC37G](https://t.co/tLyeFgC37G)
>
> — The Anfield Buzz (@TheAnfieldBuzz) [May 10, 2021](https://twitter.com/TheAnfieldBuzz/status/1391846174898933760?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw)

If the deal really is close then it will be a great signing for the Reds given the issues in defence this season.

[Injuries](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/fc-liverpool/sperrenundverletzungen/verein/31) to Virgil van Dijk, Joe Gomez, and Joel Matip left the squad in disarray, leading the club to reinforce in the winter.

Ben Davies and Ozan Kabak were [brought in](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/liverpool-fc/transfers/verein/31/plus/1?saison_id=2020&pos=&detailpos=&w_s=w) as short-term replacements, but it appears that Konate will be the long-term solution.

As previously stated, Fabrizio Romano has reported that a deal was close, with the Reds set to trigger his £40m release clause.

At just 21-years-old, Konate is a bright young talent with a great [defensive record](https://www.whoscored.com/Players/345957/History/Ibrahima-Konat%C3%A9) for Leipzig.

When Van Dijk, Gomez, and Matip return from fitness, Liverpool will have a great quality in depth if the rumour is true.