Arne Slot has perfect transfer solution for Ibrahima Konate problem

Ibrahima Konate's Liverpool future is still up in the air.

Although there are only a few months left of the 2025-26 season, the Frenchman's contract still hasn't been sorted.

Ever since Trent Alexander-Arnold's Real Madrid move was confirmed, questions about whether Konate was going to stay at Anfield have emerged.

At the moment, it's unclear whether his future lies away from L4, especially with the recent rumours of Los Blancos re-entering the race for the centre-back.

Liverpool would obviously be silly to let him leave for nothing, especially after the backlash that fans gave them about Alexander-Arnold.

However, if they end up with no choice and have to let the Frenchman go, Arne Slot already has a perfect replacement lined up for him.

Nico Schlotterbeck is Liverpool's ideal transfer target

Even though Schlotterbeck's contract is set to expire next summer, several clubs, including Liverpool have already been linked with a potential move for the German.

The defender is naturally a centre-back but he has been known to play as a left-back throughout his career.

And, with it now feeling unlikely that Andy Robertson is going to extend his Anfield stay, a new left-back could be on the cards in the summer.

But, with Schlotterbeck, Liverpool would get the best of both worlds and have cover for a couple of areas among their defensive line.

Indeed, Joe Gomez is another option that Slot has at his disposal but, with his lack of fitness causing major issues over the last couple of years, it's clear that the Englishman is no longer reliable enough to be Liverpool's Mr Versatile.

This is why the transfer of Schlotterbeck would be a perfect opportunity for the Anfield outfit to explore.

Nico Schlotterbeck could become Liverpool's next Virgil van Dijk

Seeing as though Slot admitted that Liverpool are starting to plan for life without Virgil van Dijk, it's clear that some major defensive changes are going to occur at Anfield over the next year or so.

The Dutchman's contract is set to expire in June 2027 and, even though most fans think that could be the end of the centre-backs tenure, it feels like he could end up being offered another year at Anfield.

This season, the 34 year old's form has dropped off a bit with signs of his age slowly starting to creep in.

Of course, Liverpool would rather keep Konate among their ranks so that he can become their next Van Dijk, but, with the options that are likely to be available on the market this summer, Schlotterbeck is the best of the bunch.

They've already secured the services of Jeremy Jacquet so, if just one or two more centre-back's are brought in, they could find themselves in a solid position.

Schlotterbeck is 26 years old so, even though he may not be as young as Jacquet or Giovanni Leoni, his experience and versatility could work wonders for Liverpool.

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