Named: The FOUR centre-backs who could join Liverpool

Liverpool are facing a contract conundrum regarding Ibrahima Konate this summer. The French defender was a cornerstone of the 2023/24 Premier League title win but only has ONE year left on his current deal.

If no agreement is struck between the 26-year-old’s entourage and sporting director Richard Hughes then he may well be sold. Paris Saint-Germain and Real Madrid are known to be interested in the France international and right now his future is uncertain.

READ MORE: Fabrizio Romano confirms 'agreement is done' for record-breaking Liverpool deal

The player has admitted that contract talks are at a standstill and there have been reports that he is seeking to be catapulted into Liverpool’s top band of earners with Virgil van Dijk and Mohamed Salah.

EXCLUSIVE: Wonderkid will join Liverpool first team in pre-season

Accordingly, what happens with Konate is going to have a BIG impact on what Liverpool do in the transfer market this summer.

It’s a situation described in a new report from TBR Football - which suggests the Reds could well be working off two different shortlists.

Nathan Zeze named on Liverpool list

One list will be consulted if Konate stays and the other if he goes.

The report names FOUR defenders in total that could join Liverpool; the first, Nathan Zeze, is a promising young French defender at Nantes and the 19-year-old could come in as a back-up to Konate and Van Dijk.

However, were Liverpool to LOSE Konate, then the Reds could seek to activate a more senior list. And among that cohort are some more familiar names.

“Konate’s situation impacts on who Liverpool sign this summer – if he stays, do they look for a young upcoming prospect like Nathan Zeze at Nantes?” transfer expert Graeme Bailey asks.

“But if Konate was to leave, would they then get involved with someone more expensive like Marc Guehi or Illia Zabarnyi, or even a Jarrad Branthwaite…maybe.”

Liverpool's centre-back shortlist

Guehi is in demand among top Premier League sides as he too only has one year left to run on his deal with Crystal Palace.

Zabarnyi, 22, is highly rated inside Anfield and elsewhere but looks destined to move to Paris Saint-Germain as things stand.

Branthwaite, meanwhile, would be a controversial signing given he plays for Everton.

READ MORE: Agent confirms star player has signed five year deal with Liverpool

Nonetheless, an enticing swap deal could involve Ben Doak going the other way - helping the Toffees solve a problem position while acquiring a promising England international defender in Branthwaite.