‘Arne Slot won’t miss Konate’ after new Liverpool transfer development
Ibrahima Konate’s future at Liverpool has been shrouded by uncertainty in recent weeks.
The Reds are still reeling from the loss of Trent Alexander-Arnold on a free transfer, and they could be set to face a similar scenario with the Frenchman, who has just one year remaining on his contract.
Konate has suggested that he wants to depart Anfield at the end of his deal, and with the centre back having already rejected two offers to extend his stay, the situation isn’t looking good at present.
Arne Slot will have huge reservations about losing the 26-year-old, who became the perfect partner for the imposing Virgil van Dijk in last season’s victorious title-winning campaign.
Guehi would be a perfect replacement for Konate
Konate has now reached the point where he could even leave Liverpool this summer, with talk of a potential move to Real Madrid on the cards.
However, Slot’s decision regarding his future could be about to get significantly easier, if the Reds can get a deal for Marc Guehi over the line.
The Merseysiders have been chasing the Crystal Palace centre back for several weeks now, and they are about to make a £40million “take it or leave it” offer, according to Alan Nixon (13 July).
That offer is said to have a strong chance of landing the England defender, whose arrival could give Slot a ready-made decision on Konate.
He is arguably one of the Premier League’s best defenders already, and also matches up well with the Liverpool star when comparing statistics between the two from the 2024/25 Premier League campaign, courtesy of FBRef.
The former Chelsea academy man made more defensive actions per 90 minutes than Konate, with a higher tally of tackles won, shots blocked and successful interceptions.
That will partially be down to Oliver Glasner’s side having a much busier defence than the title-winners, but that shouldn’t detract from the fact that Guehi is a superb box defender.
He also matches up well with Konate when it comes to his ability to progress the ball, something which is key for defenders in the Reds’ high-octane system.
The only slight concern would be Guehi’s inferiority when it comes to aerial duels; however, with the presence of Van Dijk next to him, his slight struggles in the air could easily be masked.
Liverpool should cash in on Konate if they sign Guehi
Slot and Co. will have been weighing up whether Konate is too important for them to lose, but also whether they can afford to watch another star leave for free, when he would otherwise have commanded a sizeable transfer fee.
Even at this stage, they would surely be able to secure a similar sum for the former RB Leipzig man to the one they are paying for Guehi, which would effectively see the Palace star’s arrival be offset.
Konate has quietly become one of the world’s best defenders since moving to Anfield four years ago, but everybody has a price, and it makes sense for Liverpool to explore the possibility of selling him this summer.
From a purely footballing point of view, Slot will be reluctant to lose a key player, but with the cards stacking against the Reds, the Dutchman certainly wouldn’t miss him if they could get Guehi instead.
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