‘Liverpool set to make Marc Guehi decision amid significant Konate update’
Liverpool are set to make a decision in their pursuit of Crystal Palace defender Marc Guehi amid interest from Real Madrid in Ibrahima Konate.
Los Blancos have been long-term admirers of Konate, who has won five domestic trophies during his 132 appearances with Liverpool, who he joined from RB Leipzig in 2021.
However, Konate has just one year left on his current Liverpool deal, with no extension or new agreement seemingly forthcoming.
That has only served to increase Real Madrid’s interest in the player, with Xabi Alonso seeking to add another younger centre-back to his squad after signing Dean Huijsen from Bournemouth.
Real Madrid to lowball Liverpool for Konate
Football Insider transfer correspondent Pete O’Rourke revealed on Sunday (20 July) that Real Madrid are considering a ‘cheeky’ £25million lowball offer for Konate.
The bid would fall £15m below what Liverpool would want for the France international this summer, but Madrid know the Reds will be keen to avoid a repeat of Trent Alexander-Arnold running down his contract to move to the Bernabeu this summer.
There is, of course, still hope at Anfield that Liverpool can agree a new contract with Konate.
However, the player holds all the cards as he enters the final year of his deal, allowing him to negotiate with clubs in January.
Liverpool readying Marc Guehi bid to replace Konate
Real Madrid won’t be the only ones acutely aware that this could be Liverpool’s last chance to cash in on Konate.
Indeed, the Reds themselves will now be nervously considering their best move, eager to recoup some money on Konate but also reticent to lose such a key player.
However, Liverpool have a top-class replacement in mind in the form of Marc Guehi.
The Crystal Palace and England defender has established himself as one of the Premier League’s most reliable centre-backs in recent years and helped the Eagles lift the FA Cup last season.
But Guehi’s time at Selhurst Park might be coming to an end, with Football Insider revealing recently (15 July) that Liverpool are looking increasingly likely to conclude a £45m deal for the 25-year-old.
Liverpool’s pursuit of Guehi has been boosted by the fact Palace are in the driving seat to sign Sporting CP’s Ousmane Diomande.
This centre-back trio feels like a set of dominoes ready to fall and Konate might prove to be the catalyst.