LIVERPOOL are reportedly poised to sign RB Leipzig defender Ibrahima Konate after agreeing personal terms.
Now the Reds must pay the £34million release clause to steal Konate, 21, away from the Bundesliga outfit.
Manchester United are set to fight Liverpool for Konate but Jurgen Klopp’s side now have the advantage as they have agreed a five-year deal with Konate, according to Fabrizio Romano.
And the Italian journalist is confident of a move being completed, suggesting Liverpool will meet the player’s release clause in the coming days.
Liverpool have suffered with injuries to centre-backs all season long and signed Ozan Kabak and Ben Davies in January to solve their problems.
But Konate is a long-term solution and will provide competition for Joel Matip, Joe Gomez and Virgil van Dijk when the trio are fit.
The France Under-21 international helped RB Leipzig into the Champions League but has struggled with injuries of his own.
A muscle injury limited the defender to just eight league appearances in 2019/20, while an ankle injury has troubled him this term.
A return of 12 appearances in the Bundesliga means he has been sidelined for most of the campaign.
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Liverpool conducted their own injury checks on Konate before pursuing a deal, and he passed those tests.
Getting a centre-back was likely a priority for Liverpool and they may now be able to focus on targets like Memphis Depay and Sander Berge.
They have struggled at times this season but remain in the hunt to finish in the top four this year, while Klopp will be keen to strengthen and aim for the title once again next year.
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Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
