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Is Jurgen Klopp taking a massive risk by signing this €40m centre-back?

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v.li.: Ibrahima Konate (RB Leipzig, 6), Reinhold Yabo (Salzburg, 7), Dayot Upamecano (RB Leipzig, 5); Aktion, action

Premier League side Liverpool are on the verge of signing 21-year-old centre-back Ibrahima Konate from RB Leipzig, according to journalist David Ornstein.

He wrote for The Athletic: ‘The situation is already said to be at an advanced stage and, if everything goes to plan, it would enable Konate to be added to Liverpool’s ranks at the soonest opportunity, which may prove all the more valuable for them in a summer featuring the delayed European Championship.

‘Although there is still work to be done and there are other suitors, sources in Germany indicate that Liverpool have made significant progress on a player seen as key to their recruitment plans.

‘With Leipzig under no pressure to sell, it is anticipated that any buyer will have to pay the 21-year-old’s release clause — thought to be around €40 million — rather than negotiating a lower price.

‘The Bundesliga side are believed to be aware of interest in Konate but, if Liverpool choose to activate the mechanism in his contract, then talks would not be needed between the two parties.’

Will Ibrahima Konate become a success at Liverpool?

Jurgen Klopp is obviously looking to replace the injury-prone Joel Matip with the Leipzig defender but spending so much money on a player who has played only nine league matches this season seems to be a bit of a gamble.

Konate joined Leipzig on a free transfer in 2017 and he’s already missed a significant number of games due to injury.

During the 20119-20 season, he missed as many as 27 matches due to a torn muscle fibre and then again in July of last year, he suffered the exact same type of injury, forcing him out of action for three months.


Ibrahima Konate is undoubtedly a really fine talent but the Liverpool manager already has the services of someone like Joe Gomez who is shaping up to become the ideal partner for Virgil Van Dijk.

Ozan Kabak came into the side at the start of this year and the Turkish international has also impressed with his recent performances.

During his nine appearances this season, Ibrahima Konate has managed an average of only 29.7 per match with a success rate of just 83.5%. And this is something really not up to the mark given the brand of football that Leipzig tend to play.

In the end, the 21-year-old will be a long-term project and Jurgen Klopp will be giving him at least two full seasons to prove his worth in the English top division. But, at all his past records, the youngster’s transfer seems to be a bit of a gamble at €40m.

Stats via Whoscored & Transfermarkt.

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