Richard Hughes' GENIUS move to replace Ibrahima Konate

Liverpool have a plan in place for a post-Ibrahima Konate team. And it's a very intelligent one.

Liverpool need to figure out a plan as Ibrahima Konate gets increasingly close to running his contract down. The Frenchman is supposed to be the leader of the next-generation defence at Anfield, replacing Virgil van Dijk in the role.

However, that's not going to happen if he leaves on a free transfer. Liverpool are powerless to stop him doing that, of course.

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Real Madrid could instead be the club in control. They hope to sign Konate this upcoming summer, much as they did Trent Alexander-Arnold in May.

It would be a massive blow for Liverpool, who wouldn't just lose a key player but lose him without a transfer fee. That naturally makes it more difficult to replace the player.

Unless...

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Liverpool move for Dayot Upamecano

Liverpool actually tried to get ahead of Konate's potential exit at the end of the summer transfer window as they bid for Marc Guehi. Guehi is also out of contract next summer but the Reds were willing to pay a fee to guarantee his arrival a year early.

However, that deal collapsed and now there are reports that competition is fierce for Guehi in 2026. Real Madrid, in fact, have eyes on him.

It would have been the ideal Konate replacement. Finding an elite centre-back also on a free transfer negates the blow of not receiving a transfer fee.

But Guehi or not, Liverpool may have one. Bild claim Dayot Upamecano is now on Liverpool's shortlist - another elite defender on an expiring contract.

The Reds have a chance here to not only put a bit of pressure on Guehi - he's not their only option - but also find a potential replacement for Konate without a price tag.

It's a fantastic move from Liverpool and one that puts them in a strong position, even with a player potentially leaving for free. There's a long way to go just yet but we're loving the look of this.

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