Ibrahima Konaté might leave for Real Madrid upcoming summer (Credits: Imago Images)
Despite the £450m incoming during the summer, Liverpool couldn’t make the required changes in the backline. Arne Slot remains with only three senior centre-back options, and it might soon change next summer.
Virgil van Dijk is expected to spend at least two more seasons at Liverpool. The Reds captain recently signed a two-year extension, post which his continuity remains questionable.
The Merseysiders have hedged the bet, though, as Giovanni Leoni was bought in from Parma in the summer. The 18-year-old has displayed immense potential, but whether he can be a starter is still a big question.
Ibrahima Konaté’s departure is known news as the Frenchman is very interested in leaving for Spain to play at the Santiago Bernabéu.
There were talks of his agent trying to negotiate an extension, but they seem to have fallen through, and the defender expects to leave for free in the upcoming summer.
However, Arne Slot might push for a sale in January to get some returns. The Dutchman wouldn’t want to waste the opportunity to cash out Konaté, considering the player’s abilities.
Unfortunately for Liverpool, the bad news doesn’t end there, as Joe Gomez might also take a flight to Southern Europe. The defender has received keen interest from Italian side AC Milan, and they are expected to make a move in January.
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Ronald Araújo on Liverpool’s radar
According to Fichajes, Liverpool are expected to also make a move for Ronald Araújo alongside Crystal Palace captain Marc Guéhi.
With Konaté’s move becoming certain as days pass, Arne Slot can’t wait to find a replacement for the Frenchman. Gomez’s departure might only make things worse as Van Dijk will be the sole senior centre back remaining.
The Reds won’t have any substitutes if both defenders leave. The Rossoneri are coming back for Gomez in January, and the Merseysiders will be looking for a Konaté sale in the winter too.
Slot still insists on signing Marc Guéhi in the summer. However, the sale of both defenders should mean that the Reds have enough cash to replace them immediately.
Araújo is priced at £43.5m, and Guéhi will be £10m cheaper than this summer. This puts the English defender at £25m, which seems to be a very fair price if Liverpool are left with just two defenders in the winter.
Arne Slot is very confident in Leoni as the manager considers the Italian Premier League-ready. Nonetheless, the club still needs to have two substitute options.
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