Fabrizio Romano: Liverpool set to complete signing; they must do this first though

The Telegraph's Mike McGrath reports that Ibrahima Konate's release clause is actually higher than first thought and it could actually cost £40million to sign him.

The French defender has Liverpool fans extremely excited after reliable journalist Fabrizio Romano reported a deal had been agreed with RB Leipzig worth £30.5m. McGrath claims that the fee stipulated in his contract is actually £8.5m higher than that.

Anfield Central was told in February that the fee was €40m and not £40m but time will tell how much the 1.94m defender will cost Liverpool. Given that the club announced a loss of £46m for the 2020 financial year, hopefully, the original price is correct as it's clear that the Reds are not in a strong position financially.

Liverpool just need to pay Ibrahima Konate's contract ahead of move to Anfield, Fabrizio Romano has confirmed on his Here We Go podcast. The journalist said: "Ibrahima Konate is set to join Liverpool. They just need to pay his release clause. It's a matter of time."

Konate's most obvious strengths are his pace, strength and aerial ability but his tactical knowledge is what should excite supporters the most. The modern game, especially during tight Premier League and Champions League games, is hugely reliant on players executing their manager's wishes.

Talent is no good on its own and defenders need to be the most tactically astute players on the pitch as they are in the most vulnerable position on the field. As we've seen with the likes of Nathaniel Phillips and Trent Alexander-Arnold this term, a simple ball over the top can unlock top sides.

The two Liverpool players were part of the high line that Jurgen Klopp favours when Toni Kroos sprayed a 40-yard pass to Vinicius Junior, dissecting the Reds with ease before the Brazilian forward scored a fantastic goal to open the scoring in the quarter-final tie vs Real Madrid.

While he's still just 33 years old, Julian Nagelsmann has a terrific grasp of the tactical game as illustrated by his impending move to Bayern Munich. Under the young German coach, Konate has learnt a lot.

Most interestingly, to me at least, is his experience playing in an aggressive back four as well as his comfort with playing in a back three. The latter could provide Jurgen Klopp with a blueprint for next season when he will have Virgil van Dijk, Joel Matip and Joe Gomez all competing with his new signing.

While Ozan Kabak could join Liverpool permanently. Nathaniel Phillips will also still be at the club so all of a sudden, Klopp could go from having just two fit centre-backs to having six at his disposal.

Of course, that's if he keeps all of them.

Liverpool have a lot of issues they need to solve either on the training ground or in the transfer market and Konate will certainly help solve their lack of depth in central defence.

He will also help add goals at set-pieces with his towering 1.94m frame more than suited to winning headers in the Premier League.

Sources: Liverpool hold advanced talks with the agent of player that models himself on Erling Haaland.