Liverpool ‘confirmed’ major exit under the radar on deadline day after ‘huge’ deal agreed
Liverpool have all but confirmed Ibrahima Konate will leave the club upon the expiry of his contract after agreeing a £60million deal for Jeremy Jacquet.
Jacquet, 18, will see out the season at Rennes before making the move to Anfield in the summer, when Konate is expected to walk away on a free.
Former Man United chief scout Mick Brown told Football Insider that Liverpool‘s deadline day signing has accelerated the expectation that the 26-year-old will move on.
Contract talks with Konate fell through as he has his eyes set on a move away from Anfield, and Arne Slot is now prepared to sanction his departure.
Real Madrid were strong suitors for Konate, but have since publicly pulled out of the race, while he continues to be linked with the likes of Chelsea and PSG.
Ibrahima Konate almost certain to leave Liverpool
Brown told Football Insider last month that Konate is finished at Liverpool with all parties now believed to be open to his departure come the end of the season.
The imminent arrival of Jacquet has only solidified those plans, with a replacement ready to step in as soon as the France international departs.
“I think this pretty much confirms Konate will leave Liverpool,” Brown told Football Insider.
“I was expecting him to leave anyway, I don’t think he’s going to sign a new contract because he’s already turned down offers, and I think the club are prepared to let him go.
“Liverpool have decided they need somebody better, that’s why they’ve gone and got Jacquet for a huge fee.
“He’s very highly rated and everybody speaks about him being the next big thing coming out of France, so it will be interesting to see how he gets on.
“But Liverpool feel he is the long-term answer to their defensive problems that they’ve had this season, and it would make sense for Konate to be on his way out now.
“I don’t think it’s a big issue, I don’t think there’s any bad blood, but they’re ready to move on and they’ve moved quickly to get themselves into a strong position.”
Andy Robertson likely to leave Liverpool for free
Konate is not the only Liverpool defender who could leave the club on a free transfer in the summer amid ongoing speculation about Andy Robertson’s future.
Brown told Football Insider on 2 February that Robertson will leave Liverpool for free at the end of the season, with Tottenham still very much interested.
Tottenham made a move for Robertson in January in a bid to reinforce their back line, but ultimately missed out after the Reds pulled the plug.
Spurs are believed to have made another check on his situation on deadline day, but Liverpool are ruling out letting the 31-year-old leave this month.
However, his availability on a free transfer means clubs are preparing to rival Tottenham’s pursuit and could get ahead of Thomas Frank‘s side in the race.
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