Liverpool have been rocked by the news that Ibrahima Konate is set to leave the club this summer after failing to agree on a new contract. The French defender has been a key part of Jurgen Klopp and Arne Slot's backline, helping the Reds to several trophies in his time at Anfield, but will now walk away on a free transfer.
The post-season is not even a week old and those Liverpool fans hoping for a peaceful transition from then until the World Cup have met with a rude awakening. The future of Arne Slot is still an everyday talking point, as is the question of how the club will replace icons such as Mohamed Salah and Andy Robertson. The Konate news has landed like a mean left hook, adding to the Reds' huge to-do list this summer.
The latest news sees Liverpool already in the mix for a replacement for Konate. Elsewhere, the Reds are hoping to land a blow over several of Europe's top teams by going big for a young superstar.
Konate replacement eyed
Liverpool are said to be turning their attention to Juventus' Gleison Bremer in order to replace Konate. According to Calciomercato, the Brazilian centre-back has a big fan in Liverpool's sporting director, Richard Hughes. The Brazilian has emerged as one of Italy's most commanding defenders after joining from Torino in July 2022. It's been reported that the 29-year-old has been put up for sale for around £34.5m.
If Liverpool are looking for a player with strong aerial ability and an eye for goal, then Bremer could be their man. The centre-half scored four times this season and has registered 12 goals in total since joining Juventus. Konate will be a tough act to follow, however. The 27-year-old will depart Anfield after 183 games, where he won the Premier League title, the FA Cup and the Carabao Cup.
Liverpool going 'all out' for star
Liverpool are said to be determined to land RB Leipzig winger Yan Diomande this summer. The 19-year-old Ivory Coast international has been on the Reds' radar for some time and they are said to be pushing for his signature in the aftermath of Salah's exit from Anfield. However, the German outfit are said to be demanding around £87m.
This week, the Ivory Coast international claimed he's aware of the interest in him from Liverpool and other elite clubs across Europe. “Yeah, I heard. But I don't know if it's going to be okay for everyone to pay that,” he said, referring to his apparent high asking price. “I'm not going to say Paris, Liverpool or Real [Madrid]. But it would be a good idea to play for big clubs. Everyone has ambitions and every day you want to go higher.”
Sky Deutschland reports Manchester City and Paris Saint-Germain are in the running to sign Diomande. However, the report says that Reds are 'going all out' to bring the attacker to Anfield and want to finalise the signing before the World Cup gets underway on June 11. That leaves Liverpool with very little time to sort a deal. Another stumbling block is Leipzig's intentions to retain Diomande and extend his contract beyond 2030.
