Saudi-linked Liverpool star reacts as Al-Ahli finalise major agreement
Liverpool could be set for a potentially pivotal January transfer window as they aim to turn their season around.
Arne Slot has been under pressure of late, as a poor run of form across October and November has left the Reds sitting a distant seventh in the Premier League table at the 16-game mark.
Slot has had his position at Liverpool scrutinised heavily in recent weeks, despite the fact that he led the team to title glory in his debut campaign in English football last time out.
The Anfield outfit need to turn their season around if they are to push to secure Champions League football once again, but the uncertainty surrounding several of their key players has been an unwelcome distraction in the lead-up to January.
Ibrahima Konate responds to Instagram post as Al-Ahli seal deal
Football Insider revealed at the start of December that Liverpool are prepared to accept offers for Ibrahima Konate in January, after several failed attempts to tie him down to a new contract.
The Frenchman is out of contract at Anfield next summer, and that has prompted the Reds to take a stance that will see them consider offers in the region of £15million for him in January.
The centre-back has seen his performances heavily criticised by Liverpool supporters during the team’s recent disappointing run, and it now seems almost inevitable that he is nearing the end of his time at the club.
Konate has been linked with the likes of Real Madrid and PSG of late, while Saudi Arabian clubs were understood to be “alert” to his situation in the summer, according to TeamTalk.
With that in mind, speculation of a move to the Middle East is likely to rife after Konate’s latest action on social media.
Ex-Chelsea goalkeeper Edouard Mendy shared his delight on Instagram after penning a new deal with Al-Ahli on Wednesday, and Konate responded by liking the post, effectively giving his seal of approval to the move.
Arne slot to be quietly pleased by Konate exit
Former Manchester United scout Mick Brown told Football Insider on Thursday that Slot has been frustrated with Konate’s displays of late, and that could completely alter his view towards the 26-year-old.
The former RB Leipzig man has been viewed as one of the Premier League’s best defenders since his arrival in 2021, but that hasn’t been the case in recent weeks.
It is understandable that Slot feels somewhat let down by the drop-off from some of his most reliable senior stars of late, and Konate certainly falls into that bracket.
As a result, the Dutchman may actually welcome the opportunity to replace the struggling star and begin the rebuild at the centre of his backline.
Virgil van Dijk is also potentially nearing the end of his career at the top level, and if Konate were to leave, then it could soon leave Liverpool with a blank canvas at the heart of the defence.