Liverpool close to completing Ibrahima Konate deal

Liverpool are reportedly set to finalise the signing of RB Leipzig centre-back Ibrahima Konate, as has been mentioned by various media outlets. The Reds have had a very difficult time this season dealing with injuries, and they never truly replaced Dejan Lovren, who left the club for free at the end of last season. 

Konate has a release clause in his contract worth €40 million, and Leipzig are not in a position where they need to sell the player since they are only four points clear from the top of the table, behind league leaders Bayern Munich. And as it stands, there is still a while to go till the total agreement is reached between the two parties for the centre-back. 

The Merseyside club signed Ben Davies and Ozan Kabak from Preston North End and Schalke respectively in the January transfer window, and Kabak has had to endure a shaky start to his Premier League career. 

But despite that, Jürgen Klopp will be hoping to add another name to the backline in case injuries strike the team again. 

The Frenchman himself has been hit by injuries during his time at Leipzig, but he has managed to make 100 appearances for the Red Bull Club and has established a good partnership with Dayot Upamecano at the back. If Liverpool reach an agreement with the player by paying his release clause, Leipzig could be losing both their starting centre-backs in the summer.