Why Liverpool won't sign another central defender this summer

Liverpool’s defence has been the centre of much of the speculation around the club in recent months.

The Reds saw a deal for Lutsharel Geertruida fall through at the end of the winter window, but did confirm a deal that will see Jeremy Jacquet head to Anfield in the summer.

Ibrahima Konate and Andrew Robertson are both into the final few months of their current contracts, and it is still unclear where either player’s future lies.

Reports suggested that Robertson was close to a move to Tottenham Hotspur in January, but Liverpool’s vice-captain remained in Merseyside.

Talks to keep Konate at the club have been ongoing for some time and, with a breakthrough on the horizon, the Reds’ summer plans could be about to change.

Liverpool’s transfer priority is about to change

Partly owing to speculation over Konate’s future, Liverpool have been linked with a whole host of central defenders recently.

It seemed almost certain that the Reds would look to bring in another central defender alongside Jacquet to bolster the backline, but an update on Konate’s future could change everything.

Transfer insider, Florian Plettenberg, recently revealed that Liverpool’s chances of keeping Konate ‘remain strong’ with a new long-term deal on the table for the Frenchman.

This update is just one of several reports confirming that Slot’s side are still very much hoping to keep Konate at the club beyond the end of the season.

If a new deal is agreed with the 26-year-old, Liverpool’s priorities for the summer change drastically.

The Reds would have five strong centre-back options in Konate, Virgil van Dijk, Jeremy Jacquet, Giovanni Leoni and Joe Gomez. Bringing in an additional central defender would seem a waste.

Extending Konate’s contract comes with multiple benefits too.

Not only would Liverpool be keeping a top defender at the club, but funds and attention this summer could be focussed on improving Slot’s attack, which has looked blunt for the majority of the season.

Konate’s extension isn’t official yet but, if an agreement is reached, Liverpool’s need for an additional centre-half in the summer would decrease greatly.

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