Bundesliga transfer expert Ronan Murphy expects Liverpool to sign both Ibrahima Konate and Ozan Kabak this summer after the latter’s recent form impressed the coaching staff.
Speaking to the Liverpool Echo, he said: “He looks like he could be a perfect partner for Van Dijk as he’s right-sided and Virgil’s strengths will help improve his own game. Konate isn’t the best passer, but playing alongside Van Dijk, he would not need to be.
“He’s probably very similar to Kabak but a better, if less fit, player. Both have huge potential, so it wouldn’t be a surprise for Liverpool to sign both and have options.”
It remains to be seen if Konate’s injury history would prove to be an issue but as I wrote at the end of March, it’s not as serious as it seems.
Meanwhile, Kabak has performed admirably since a shaky start to life at Liverpool.
His mix up with Alisson Becker against Leicester City was disastrous but he has recovered since then and is now looking like a player with a bucket load of talent and maturity. I think people forget that he’s only 20 years old.
Partnered with Nathaniel Phillips, the Schalke loanee has shown an exemplary ability to step up and intercept danger as it develops before calmly playing the ball to Trent Alexander-Arnold or a midfielder in front of him.
His contract with soon to be relegated Schalke only expires in June 2024 which might make signing him permanently a bit tricky but their inability to offer him first division football will simplify matters significantly.
After a season in which Liverpool had extremely limited options at centre-back, signing both Konate and Kabak will boost their chances of challenging for the Premier League again.
