A surprise exit of Ibrahima Konate

Four seasons, 183 matches, a Premier League title, an FA Cup, two League Cups, a Community Shield, a Champions League final, and a huge desire to stay at Anfield — or at least that’s what he had been saying — and now it seems an immediate separation is on the horizon. Ibrahima Konate is set to become the third key Liverpool player to leave the club this June, according to virtually all British and French media outlets. Real Madrid wanted Konate as early as last year, but Liverpool managed to convince him to stay despite entering the final year of his contract. Negotiations over an extension began immediately afterward. The French international repeatedly stated that an agreement was close and that he had always wanted to remain at Anfield, but it now appears he has changed his mind.

The talks have collapsed, meaning Liverpool are set to lose a third important starter after it had already become clear that Mohamed Salah (most likely to Saudi Arabia) and Andy Robertson (almost certainly to Tottenham) would also depart. Where will Konate go? As a free agent, he will be able to choose his next destination freely, and French outlet L’Equipe claims that Real Madrid, Bayern Munich — where Konate could reunite with former RB Leipzig partner Dayot Upamecano — and Chelsea have already lined up for his signature, with the latter once again becoming attractive after Xabi Alonso took charge. However, British media reports suggest a different scenario and believe Paris Saint-Germain have entered the race and are now supposedly closest to signing Konate. Even though PSG already have Marquinhos, Willian Pacho, and Illia Zabarnyi on the payroll, Konate is a Paris native, a French international, and most importantly, an excellent center-back.

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Liverpool will still have Virgil van Dijk at the heart of defense, as well as Joe Gomez, although he too is entering the final year of his contract, so changes there are also possible. It should not be forgotten that the Reds had already secured Rennes youngster Jeremy Jacquet (20), who arrives this June in a 63.6 million deal, albeit with a shoulder injury that has kept him out since February. They will also welcome back 19-year-old Giovanni Leoni, whom they bought from Parma last summer for 29.45 million euros, only for him to suffer a torn knee ligament and miss the entire season. Liverpool’s back line could therefore look completely different next season.