Ibrahima Konate is chosen as 'ideal' signing for Champions League giants

Liverpool’s centre-back department is undergoing a major shakeup.

The process began last summer when Richard Hughes sanctioned a £26m deal for Parma teenager Giovanni Leoni. And ahead of the 2026/27 season there will be another promising young defender arriving in the shape of £62m Rennes star Jeremy Jacquet.

Depth won’t be an issue in future seasons either - with the likes of Noah Adekoya, Mor Talla Ndiaye and Ifeanyi Ndukwe all coming into the club.

The Premier League champions are seeking a radical overhaul owing to a few issues.

Virgil van Dijk will be 35 in summer and only has a year left on his deal.

Likewise Joe Gomez is only signed up until the end of the 2026/27 campaign. But the most pressing issue forcing Liverpool into taking action is the contract situation of Ibrahima Konate.

Konate wanted by Real Madrid and Inter

The Frenchman, 26, is out of contract at the end of the current season and so far no breakthrough has been made with the club over a new deal.

Real Madrid are reportedly waiting in the wings - willing to strike for a Bosman deal if the France international lowers his contract demands.

Liverpool haven’t given up hope of renewing Ibou either - whose form has undergone a transformation in recent weeks. But there is another European giant ready to take advantage of Konate’s contract standoff.

L’Interista is claiming that Inter Milan tried to sign Konate in January and will be back to tempt the former RB Leipzig man with a contract in summer.

All change in Inter Milan's backline

The Serie A club are going to lose Francesco Acerbi and Stefan de Vrij at the end of the season while Manuel Akanji is due back at Manchester City.

They will therefore require new defenders and according to the report club bosses are aligned on their view that Konate is the top candidate.

“Konatè would be the ideal candidate for both Oaktree and the Nerazzurri management,” the report reads. Inter of course must wait to see if Konate ties up a new deal at Anfield and are also wary of interest from Madrid.

If it comes down to money then Real will probably beat both Liverpool AND Inter to Konate’s signing. He is reported to be seeking around £200k per week for a renewal and right now there are no guarantees Richard Hughes will pay up.

It looks like Liverpool are moving in a different direction at centre-back - given the age profile of their new recruits - and as a result of that drive Konate may be on his way out.

If they decide to focus on the Frenchman, they could stave off competition with a very significant salary offer.

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