Liverpool now plan deals for TWO centre-backs

Liverpool are facing a contract conundrum over Ibrahima Konate.

The 26-year-old is out of contract at the end of the current season - and if no agreement is reached then he will be LEAVING Anfield on a free transfer.

France international Konate has reportedly been locked in negotiations with the club over the past year or so - but no breakthrough has been made.

There has been a suggestion that Konate would require a deal worth £200k per week or more to renew - a considerable outlay for sporting director Richard Hughes due to some iffy form on the part of the centre-back.

But Liverpool’s preference REMAINS to get a new deal over the line for Konate - who will be entitled to speak to potentially interested overseas clubs in only two weeks.

Liverpool seek Konate renewal

A report now claims that the Reds’ centre-back chase will not be impacted if Konate signs a new deal - because Arne Slot and Richard Hughes want to increase quality and quantity in the heart of defence.

Konate and Van Dijk are currently the only available options for Slot - with both Joe Gomez and Giovanni Leoni out injured.

“The aim has been to tie him up by the New Year, but I’m not sure they see it as a strict deadline,” transfer expert Dean Jones tells TEAMtalk.

“The objective has been to avoid another Trent Alexander-Arnold scenario that drags on and on, and then he still leaves. The problem Liverpool have is that if Konate leaves, then they’ll actually need two centre-back signings.

Liverpool ALSO want Schlotterbeck or Guehi

“They are already in the market for someone – and that’s not to replace Konate, it’s to have as well as him. So when we look at [Marc] Guehi or [Nico] Schlotterbeck, we are talking about adding competition and depth to the squad.

"It’s easiest for Liverpool to keep Konate and give him a decent deal than going out and replacing him and having yet another new player to get up to speed.”

It’s been mooted that Liverpool could entertain bids for the former RB Leipzig defender in January if they cannot find an agreement over a new deal.

But the hint from Jones is now that the Reds’ decision-makers will hold on to Konate in an attempt to eke out a deal in the second half of the season.

“So I don’t think they will try to sell him – I think they will only lose him if they reach a stage where finding an agreement has become impossible,” he writes.

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