ADVANCED talks could change everything for Liverpool

Liverpool could be turned upside down after reports of 'advanced talks'. The Reds' landscape is shifting rapidly.

Liverpool face a battle to find the right group of centre-backs in 2026. That's largely because Ibrahima Konate is out of contract at the end of the season and no one is sure where he'll end up.

It was thought to be Real Madrid but they've now distanced themselves from the deal. So Liverpool, then? They've been trying to renew his contract for a year now without much luck.

Real Madrid absolutely do want to sign a new centre-back, though. They've been linked with Konate but also Marc Guehi - the player Liverpool thought they'd signed at the transfer deadline.

His contract also expires at the end of the season and he isn't going to renew with Crystal Palace. Someone is getting him without a transfer fee - but Liverpool and Real Madrid aren't the only ones involved.

Bayern Munich are linked with Guehi because Dayot Upamecano's contract also expires. He's been linked with a move to Real Madrid, who have both Antonio Rudiger and David Alaba on, you've guessed it, expiring contracts.

The theory with it all was that Upamecano was on his way to Real Madrid, eliminating their need for Konate or Guehi. That would potentially land Guehi at Liverpool and Konate in Munich.

However...

Dayot Upamecano to stay put?

The BBC report that Bayern Munich are now in ‘advanced talks’ with Upamecano about renewing his contract. Bayern now ‘expect’ him to sign a new deal, retaining one of their best players this season.

That, however, changes things. Few thought Upamecano was staying with Bayern and Real Madrid were largely expected to sign him on a free transfer.

But now it looks like he’ll stay - so what do Real Madrid do? There are two obvious players to pivot to in Guehi and Konate but shifts things for Liverpool quite dramatically.

Especially as we can’t be sure who they’d choose. All we do know is that Liverpool will struggle to get either player to sign for them before Real Madrid pick.

That’s just the reality of the situation. Even if they don’t want to go to Madrid, they’d still want to have the negotiating power of being in talks with them.

This whole situation looked pretty clear a week ago. Upamecano staying with Bayern changes that completely and now it’s hard to say who Liverpool have on their books next season.

Then again, maybe there are more twists to come.

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