Liverpool must go all out for ‘amazing talent’ as Real Madrid ‘close’ to Ibrahima Konate agreement
Liverpool are at serious risk of losing another of their key players to Real Madrid next summer.
Trent Alexander-Arnold joined Real Madrid this summer, leaving Anfield nine years after making his Premier League debut.
And Ibrahima Konate could leave Liverpool as well next summer, with the Frenchman yet to sign a new contract.
Real Madrid are interested in Konate, and have attempted to persuade the defender to follow in Alexander-Arnold’s footsteps by running his deal down.
Liverpool received just £10m when the right-back left in June, and will not want the same situation to repeat itself.
Real Madrid confident of signing Ibrahima Konate
Liverpool failed with a late move for Marc Guehi on transfer deadline day, but will return for the defender next summer when his contract at Crystal Palace expires.
The England international is viewed as a long-term replacement for Virgil van Dijk, but the Reds may be forced into signing another central defender to replace Konate, too.
Lewis Steele reported on Thursday that Real Madrid are confident of signing the defender, with the 26-year-old yet to make a final decision on his future.
The same sources that confirmed that Alexander-Arnold would join Los Blancos have also suggested that senior club staffers at the Bernabeu believe they are close to a verbal agreement with Konate.
Liverpool can soften blow by signing Murillo
Liverpool have linked to Nottingham Forest defender Murillo in the past, and the defender would appear to be a perfect replacement for Konate, if he is to leave.
The Brazilian offers superb defensive numbers, making a lot of blocks and clearances last season.
And on the ball, the 23-year-old is more than capable, liking to carry the ball out of defence and finding his teammates with raking switches.
| Murillo | Premier League – Last 365 days (per 90) |
| Switches | 0.68 |
| Shot-creating actions | 1.27 |
| Blocks | 1.89 |
| Clearances | 7 |
| Take-ons attempted | 1.04 |
Former Nottingham Forest defender Joe Worrall told The Guardian in February that Murillo is “an amazing talent”.
“One thing I can say is he’s a real good kid and he’s someone who works hard in training,” the now Burnley man said.
“He’s a fighter and clearly knows what it takes to get to the level because he’s performing at it now – he’s no fluke.”
Murillo would not come cheap, having signed a new contract in January, but Liverpool have shown their willingness to splash the cash for the best options available.
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