Liverpool’s Ibrahima Konate move compared to Chelsea’s Havertz transfer

As Liverpool's fate in terms of Champions League qualification remains their own hands, all of their focus will be on Sunday's home clash against Crystal Palace, with the Reds expected to welcome back more than six thousand fans to Anfield. However, the summer transfer window is looming ahead of them regardless of the outcome on Sunday.

The Reds are already making plans for the upcoming transfer window regardless of their European qualification, and are looking to bring in RB Leipzig centre-back Ibrahima Konate.

Liverpool can still qualify for the Champions League, and a win over Roy Hodgson's side will be enough to seal their place in the top four. Any slip-ups, however, and Brendan Rodgers' Leicester side will be breathing firmly down their necks.

It has been a turbulent season for Jurgen Klopp's side, who have fallen spectacularly short of retaining their Premier League crown, though there are a number of factors as to why that is the case.

One of the biggest reasons is their extraordinarily lengthy injury list, with their three first-choice central defenders enduring lengthy spells side-lined with injury, including Virgil Van Dijk who hasn't featured since October's Merseyside derby and Joe Gomez who last appeared in November.

Joel Matip sustained a knock at the turn of the year that has seen him absent since January and as a result Liverpool have been forced to call on some very inexperienced names such as Nathaniel Phillips and Rhys Williams who have tried their best to steady what appeared to be a sinking ship.

With the return dates of all three of Van Dijk, Gomez and Matip all unclear – Liverpool are reportedly willing to dip into their transfer fund and strengthen at the back as they aim to mount another title tilt next season.

One name that has been persistently linked with a move to Merseyside is RB Leipzig defender Konate, who has impressed over the course of a number of seasons for the German outfit under the guidance of the Bayern Munich-bound Julian Nagelsmann.

According to transfer expert Fabrizio Romano, Liverpool fans can begin to plan for life next season with Konate in their defence.

Speaking on the Here We Go podcast, Romano compared the deal to a similar one that occurred last summer, which saw Bundesliga star make the switch to the Premier League.

The transfer guru explained: "It reminds me of the situation of Havertz with Chelsea last summer, when the deal was almost completed one month before announcing everything. With German clubs, it takes time to complete everything.

"There is a release clause, Liverpool are fighting for a Champions League place, so obviously they are taking their time and then they will complete everything.

"They have the agreement with Konate for a five-year contract, they are preparing everything because they want to sign Konate."

Romano continued: "The player wants to join Liverpool, just waiting to see how it’ll be completed – paying the clause or finding agreement with Leipzig. But Liverpool are convinced to sign Konate and the deal will be complete."

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