After his side beat Stuttgart 2-0 this weekend, Julian Nagelsmann was asked about a potential move to Liverpool for Ibrahima Konate but the RB Leipzig manager gave nothing away.
Fabrizio Romano reported for the Guardian this weekend that Liverpool are set to sign the France U21 star for £30.5million after months of negotiation. We reported exclusively in February that the Reds were looking to sign him before the end of the season.
Despite all the signs being there that Konate is on his way out of Leipzig this summer, his coach isn’t about to tell the media.
HITC report that he told reporters this when asked about the transfer: “(The reports are) perceived like all other rumours. Not that important to me. I haven’t talked to him about it yet.”
While there’s a small chance that Nagelsmann hasn’t spoken to Konate yet because there isn’t anything to talk about, there are two far more likely scenarios at play. The 33-year-old coach simply hasn’t yet spoken to a player that has made his mind up regarding his future or he just hasn’t got around to it yet.
Liverpool are as close to signing the French defender as you can be without having taken photos or completed a medical. His move to Anfield will help Jurgen Klopp solve an injury crisis that has completely derailed the Reds this season, leaving them an incredible 23 points off the top.
Unlike Manchester City last season, Liverpool have more than one major defensive injury with all three senior centre-backs that started the season at the club out injured for the rest of the season.
The belief among supporters, or it could be more of a hope, is that the Premier League champions will return to their best next season with the return of key defenders and the arrival of a number of squad options.
Konate’s arrival will not only add quality to the starting XI when he’s selected but it means Joe Gomez and Virgil van Dijk will need to be on their toes if they’re going to start although it’s certain that the latter will be a guaranteed starter when he’s fit.
Hopefully, some investment will also be made into a forward line that has been lacking severely this season.
This summer is make or break for FSG after their Super League involvement landed them in hot water with supporters.
Even if the Americans loosen their purse strings and give Klopp the funds to strengthen his squad as he sees fit, it will still take some doing to get the fans back onside after FSG showed their true colours.