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After more than a year of uncertainty surrounding his future at Anfield, Ibrahima Konate now appears to be on the verge of ending the saga once and for all.
The French centre-back, whose contract situation had become one of the most talked-about storylines at Liverpool this season, looks set to commit his long-term future to the Reds – and the ripple effect on Arne Slot’s summer transfer plans could be significant.
Speaking after the Merseyside derby win, Konate gave the clearest indication yet that an agreement with Liverpool is close. “We are close to an agreement,” the defender admitted.
“I think everyone wished for that for as long as possible but we are in a good way.”
“For sure there is a big chance I’m here next season. This is what I always wanted. I’m waiting to sort the contract but when everything is sorted you will have to ask [sporting director] Richard Hughes what I said to him in September, November and he’s going to say something to make everyone quiet.”
His comments will be music to the ears of supporters who feared a repeat of the drawn-out Trent Alexander-Arnold situation, and they also carry major implications for how Liverpool approach the window.
According to Paul Joyce of The Times, provided no late complications arise in negotiations, Liverpool’s centre-back department will be considered fully stocked heading into next season. That frees up Richard Hughes and the recruitment team to channel resources into other areas of the squad that need reinforcement.
Part of the reason Liverpool feel comfortable stepping back from the centre-back market is the incoming arrival of Jeremy Jacquet. The Reds completed a deal for the highly-rated Rennes defender in January worth £55 million, plus a further £5 million in add-ons, with the 20-year-old set to officially link up with his new teammates this summer.
Alongside Jacquet, Giovanni Leoni is expected to return from the ACL injury that wiped out most of his debut campaign. The Italian youngster, signed last summer with huge expectations attached, will effectively feel like a new signing himself.
With Konate, Virgil van Dijk, Ibou Konate, Jacquet, and Leoni all available, Slot’s defensive options look in excellent shape,
