Liverpool are closing in on the capture of the RB Leipzig defender Ibrahima Konate.
According to various reports, the Premier League side have now agreed to pay his release clause of around €35 million and the player is set the sign a long term contract with the Premier League side.
Fabrizio Romano reports that the French defender will sign a contract with the Premier League side until the summer of 2026, and he had already completed his medical with Liverpool a few days ago.
There is no doubt that Liverpool will need to improve their defensive options in the summer, and Konate could prove to be a quality long term investment.
The young defender is likely to be a partner for Virgil van Dijk next season. He has been linked with a move to Merseyside for months now.
Joel Matip and Joe Gomez have been relatively injury-prone over the years, and Liverpool needed to bring in a reliable partner for van Dijk.
Karate can develop into a world-class player in future, and it remains to be seen whether Jurgen Klopp can help him fulfil his potential.
The Reds had a significant defensive injury crisis this season, and they have had to field midfielders at the back throughout the season.
The Premier League side will be desperate to avoid a similar scenario next season, and they must look to sign at least two defenders during the summer transfer window.
On loan, Schalke defender Ozan Kabak has been linked with a permanent move to Anfield as well, but the Reds have not decided to trigger a clause to sign the player on a long term deal.
It will be interesting to see how the situation develops over the coming weeks now.
