Arne Slot gets centre-back green light as top target wants to join

Ibrahima Konate is LEAVING Liverpool.

The Reds’ senior centre-back pool is expected to shrink by one once the Frenchman’s contract expires in June 2026.

Liverpool - the outgoing Premier League champions - will be stunned by this development having earlier come close to tying down the 27-year-old for the long-term.

Despite negotiations stretching for a period of around two and a half years no breakthrough could be reached and Konate will walk out the door for nothing.

It leaves Liverpool with a lack of senior options heading into preseason. Virgil van Dijk is secure for only one more year with his deal expiring in 2027 - by which time he will be turning 36.

Joe Gomez could be leaving this summer if the club decide to accept a bid from Aston Villa or AC Milan - who have been named among his suitors.

Liverpool need to complete centre-back refit

Although the long-term future of defence has been locked down through the signings of Jeremy Jacquet, Giovanni Leoni and Mor Talla Ndiaye there is a real danger of an experience gap being exposed next season in the heart of defence.

And now it’s been claimed that Arne Slot will seek to take out an insurance policy in the position by attempting to recruit Micky van de Ven from Tottenham.

That’s according to a report in Sports Boom which claims Van de Ven would be intrigued about the prospect of linking up with his compatriot Slot.

Micky van de Ven wants Liverpool move

“Liverpool are monitoring Micky van de Ven’s situation at Tottenham Hotspur closely as Arne Slot contemplates whether to exploit the Londoner’s troubles last season by submitting a bid for his fellow Dutchman,” the report reads.

“Slot is expected to be in the market for a new centre-half this summer as he looks to future-proof Anfield’s first team squad.

“The Netherlands international is likely to be excited by the prospect of competing in the Champions League next term should Slot firm up his interest.”

Van de Ven, 25, is stalling on a new Tottenham deal following a very poor season from the North London club. Spurs may well be tempted to cash in and furnish the squad with new signings elsewhere - with Van de Ven under contract until 2029.

The Netherlands’ defender would not come cheap - with reports suggesting he could go for as much as £90m. But his pace, versatility and set-piece power could mark him out as the ideal summer signing in defence.

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