Liverpool ‘have’ to sell first-team starter in January – ‘they will create an auction for him’
Liverpool have been backed to sell one of their key first-team players in the January transfer window.
Arne Slot’s side have had the perfect start to their Premier League title defence, winning all four games so far this season.
However, Liverpool are struggling to convince defender Ibrahima Konate to sign a new contract, amid interest from Real Madrid in the centre-back.
The 26-year-old’s current deal expires next summer, which means that Los Blancos can sign him on a free transfer if he doesn’t renew.
Everton’s former chief Keith Wyness – who served as CEO at Goodison Park between 2004 and 2009 and now runs a football consultancy advising elite clubs – believes that the Reds will sell Konate in January to avoid losing him for free.
Ibrahima Konate has made his position clear, Liverpool must cash in
Speaking on the new edition of Football Insider’s Inside Track podcast, Wyness insisted that Liverpool have no choice but to cash in on Konate when the window reopens, as the Frenchman has made it clear that he won’t sign a new deal.
The centre-back has started all four of the Reds’ Premier League games so far this season, alongside Virgil van Dijk.
Wyness added that Liverpool will try to create an auction for Konate so they can at least get something for him.
He told Football Insider‘s Inside Track podcast: “I think they’re going to have to try and cash in on him in January. I mean, he’s made his position fairly clear.
“We saw it all happen with Trent as well, where Liverpool were lucky to get some money at the end, just purely because of the Club World Cup situation with Real Madrid.
“So I think they will try and create some sort of auction if they possibly can and get something for him.”
Liverpool to beat Man City and Real Madrid to signing
Meanwhile, Liverpool are confident they will win the race for Marc Guehi, beating the likes of Manchester City and Chelsea, sources have told Football Insider.
Despite agreeing a British record deal for Alexander Isak on transfer deadline day, the Reds were dealt a blow when they missed out on Guehi.
Football Insider revealed on 12 September that Man City are plotting a move for Guehi alongside the likes of Chelsea and Bayern Munich.
However, Slot’s side remain confident of getting a deal over the line in 2026, with the centre-back widely expected to leave Crystal Palace for free.
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