Liverpool are in the ‘final stages’ of a deal for highly-rated RB Leipzig defender Ibrahima Konate, according to reports in Germany.
According to Daily Mail, the Reds were looking to finalise a £33million deal for the French Under-21 defender, who is closing in on 100 appearances for German giants Leipzig.
The 21-year-old has been touted as one of the top young centre-halves in Europe and Jurgen Klopp is looking to bring in a new defender after a season of injury woes in that department.
And according to German news outlet BILD, Liverpool are going through the final checks of Konate’s data and could sign the centre-back for as little as £28million.
Despite his excellent performances in Germany, one area that could concern Liverpool is Konate’s injury record, with the Frenchman limited to just 89 league displays in four years at Leipzig.
Reds manager Klopp has been troubled with injury problems at centre-back this season with Virgil van Dijk, Joe Gomez and Joel Matip all picking up long-term injuries throughout the current campaign.
Midfielders Jordan Henderson and Fabinho have been asked to fill in at the backline throughout the season, with the duo suffering injury problems themselves, while rookie defenders Nat Phillips and Rhys Williams have also been called upon.
Klopp entered the transfer market in January to try and boost his defensive options but loan signing Ozan Kabak has struggled for form while former Preston defender Ben Davies has not featured for the Merseysiders.
The injury problems have ultimately derailed Liverpool’s season, with Klopp’s side sitting in seventh in the Premier League, having been eliminated from both domestic cup competitions and needing to overturn a Champions League last eight first-leg loss to Real Madrid next week.
Konate’s potential arrival at Anfield would provide Klopp with expert competition for Van Dijk and Gomez at centre-back, with the current Reds duo expected to be fit in time for the summer pre-season campaign.
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