LIVERPOOL are ‘finalising’ a deal to bring highly-rated RB Leipzig centre-back Ibrahima Konate to the club this summer.
The 21-year-old has caught the attention of several Premier League sides with his impressive displays for the German outfit.
Man Utd, Chelsea and Arsenal have all been trying to acquire the services of Konate.
But according to The Athletic it is Liverpool who are closing in on putting pen to paper.
Journalist David Ornstein has revealed that the Reds have made ‘significant progress’ when it comes to a deal for Konate.
It is thought Jurgen Klopp’s side will be forced to pay a minimum of £34million in order to trigger the Frenchman’s release clause.
Konate has endured an injury-plagued start to his career since joining RB Leipzig from Sochaux in 2017.
The France Under-21 international has made only 17 Bundesliga appearances since the start of last season, having suffered from a muscle tear and an ankle issue.
But when he has been able to take to the field, he has impressed alongside compatriot Dayot Upamecano.
With Upamecano having already agreed to join Bayern Munich in the summer, however, it remains to be seen whether RB Leipzig will be willing to also cash in on their other prodigious French defender.
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Meanwhile, Liverpool are keen to strengthen their back line despite bringing in Ozan Kabak on loan with an option to buy in the January window.
Klopp was hit by long-term injuries to both Virgil van Dijk and Joe Gomez earlier in the campaign.
And that depleted defence has been breached far too often since the turn of the year as the defending Premier League champions have slipped to seventh in the table.
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
