---
title: "Virals: Fabrizio Romano confirms Liverpool close to Ibrahima Konate deal"
canonical: "https://readliverpoolfc.com/news/virals-fabrizio-romano-confirms-liverpool-close-to-ibrahima-konate-deal/"
type: "post"
language: "en-GB"
author: "Dan Clubbe"
section: "Liverpool News"
published: "2021-05-25T06:00:00Z"
modified: "2021-05-25T06:00:00Z"
---

# Virals: Fabrizio Romano confirms Liverpool close to Ibrahima Konate deal

[Liverpool](https://readliverpoolfc.com/2021/05/24/graeme-souness-fully-expects-summer-transfer-activity-at-liverpool/) often wastes little time in getting their business done at the end of a season and this year looks to be no exception.

Having confirmed the [signing of Fabinho](https://www.skysports.com/football/news/11669/11388598/liverpool-sign-fabinho-in-43-7m-deal-from-monaco) in the wake of the 2018 UEFA Champions League final, the Reds look set to confirm the arrival of RB Leipzig centre-back [Ibrahima Konate](https://readliverpoolfc.com/2021/05/14/fabrizio-romano-claims-total-agreement-reached-for-ibrahima-konate/) in the near future.

The Frenchman, who turns 22 today, has seemingly been heading for an Anfield arrival for a number of weeks but could now be closer than ever as reputable journalist [Fabrizio Romano](https://twitter.com/FabrizioRomano/status/1396879707895910400) confirmed on Twitter.

> Twitter: Liverpool will complete the signing of Ibrahima Konaté from RB Leipzig, confirmed. He’ll join #LFC soon. Personal t… https://t.co/Q0ZBngPYeT (@FabrizioRomano)

Liverpool are [reportedly](https://www.liverpoolfc.com/news/media-watch/429876-liverpool-finalising-deal-to-sign-34m-rb-leipzig-star-ibrahima-konate) likely to have to pay the Frenchman’s £34million release clause all in one instalment.

Konate has played [21 times](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/ibrahima-konate/leistungsdaten/spieler/357119) in all competitions this season in Germany – earning an average [Sofascore rating of 6.68](https://www.sofascore.com/player/ibrahima-konate/826215) in the Bundesliga.

The 6’4 powerhouse has been [called up by France](https://www.uefa.com/under21/teams/200043--france/squad/) for the upcoming Euro 2020 Under 21 championships.

### READ LIVERPOOL VERDICT

Signing a central defender had to be a priority this summer given the [crisis suffered](https://www.theguardian.com/football/2021/feb/01/liverpool-sign-ozan-kabak-and-ben-davies#:~:text=Liverpool%20act%20to%20solve%20defensive%20crisis%20by%20signing%20Ozan%20Kabak%20and%20Ben%20Davies,-This%20article%20is&text=Liverpool%20bolstered%20J%C3%BCrgen%20Klopp's%20central,with%20an%20ankle%20ligament%20injury.) in the department this season just gone.

Perhaps the most worrying element of the deal would be Konate’s own dubious injury record – missing [15 games](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/ibrahima-konate/verletzungen/spieler/357119) this season with various problems.

The big-money arrival of a defender does raise questions over the [futures of Ozan Kabak](https://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/ozan-kabak-liverpool-crystal-palace-20661442), Ben Davies, Nat Phillips and Rhys Williams.

Kabak may feel hard done by were Liverpool to turn way from the [£18million deal](https://www.dailystar.co.uk/sport/football/ozan-kabak-liverpool-transfer-news-24119607) as Romano suggests, whilst Phillips has almost certainly warranted a place in the plans with his displays.

This leaves Davies and Williams, both will likely be moved on in some capacity for the 2021/22 otherwise Klopp will have [seven or eight first-team ready](https://www.liverpoolfc.com/team/first-team) centre-backs.