logo
Real Madrid interested in Liverpool's Ibrahima Konaté

Real Madrid interested in Liverpool's Ibrahima Konaté

Yahoo04-03-2025

With Ibrahima Konaté's (25) contract at Liverpool set to expire at the end of next season, the question of his future at Anfield is one that is being increasingly frequently posed and is increasingly pertinent. The Frenchman currently has an offer from Liverpool to extend his deal, and the Premier League club want to secure his long-term future, however, he is waiting until the end of the current season before making a decision on his future, as per .
All the while, interest is growing in Konaté. Paris Saint-Germain have been strongly linked with a move for the centre-back, with the player himself telling Téléfoot that he is 'flattered' by the interest shown in him. However, understands that links to PSG are unfounded with the Ligue 1 club strongly denying a pursuit of the former RB Leipzig man.
However, Real Madrid, who have a long-standing interest in Konaté, remain in the race, according to Le Parisien. It remains to be seen whether that interest in the France international, a key member of Arne Slot's defence at Liverpool, will become concrete in the summer.
GFFN | Luke Entwistle

Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

Jeremie Frimpong joins Liverpool as cut-price deal agreed
Jeremie Frimpong joins Liverpool as cut-price deal agreed

Yahoo

time22 minutes ago

  • Yahoo

Jeremie Frimpong joins Liverpool as cut-price deal agreed

Jeremie Frimpong will join Liverpool when the transfer window opens on Sunday after they triggered his £29.5m release clause with Bayer Leverkusen and agreed personal terms with the right-back. The Netherlands international, who has signed a five-year contract, arrives as Trent Alexander-Arnold leaves for Real Madrid, with Liverpool banking €10m to allow their vice-captain to move early and line up in the Club World Cup. Advertisement But while Frimpong is likely to take the Merseysider's place in the back four, Liverpool view the versatile 24-year-old as an option for any position on the right flank, rather than simply a like-for-like replacement. Frimpong is not considered to be a direct replacement for Alexander-Arnold (Getty Images) Liverpool will pay for Frimpong in three separate annual instalments after negotiating with Leverkusen, with whom they are also in talks for Florian Wirtz after making an offer rising to €130m for the Germany international. Frimpong, who qualifies as a homegrown player in the Premier League after growing up in England and coming through Manchester City's youth system, has been on Liverpool's radar for around 15 years after they almost signed him for their academy. Advertisement They have instead belatedly got their man for a cut-price fee, thanks to Frimpong's release clause. 'It went quite easy. Liverpool came and said they had interest, and obviously for me it was a no-brainer,' Frimpong told Liverpool's website. 'For me, it was like, 'Whatever you guys do, just get this done', [speaking to] my agents: 'Just get this done.' 'Liverpool fans, I'm going to give my all, my energy, my work-rate and hopefully we can win together, we celebrate together, get everything together. 'I'm just excited to be here. Thank you guys for accepting me and I won't let you guys down and I'll give you the energy that you guys want.' Advertisement Frimpong scored 28 goals in his last three seasons at Leverkusen, helping when win an unbeaten double in Germany last season and twice being named in the Bundesliga team of the season. Frimpong often played as a wing-back for Xabi Alonso at Leverkusen and Liverpool also see him as an alternative on the right wing, with Mohamed Salah expected to be away for several weeks of next season at the African Cup of Nations. Frimong said he had spoken to Liverpool head coach Arne Slot and had heard positive reports of the Dutch coach from his Netherlands team-mates. 'I spoke to the manager a few times,' Frimpong said. 'He sounds very positive. He says I can bring a lot of energy and my qualities, my speed. Advertisement 'Especially when a manager is talking positively about you, it gives you very good confidence that he believes in you. I've had good conversations with him. 'I'm really excited [to work with him]. Even when I was at national team, some of the Feyenoord boys would tell me about him and be like, 'He's the best coach I've ever had.' Things like this. So, I've always heard good things about the coach. Now he's going to be my coach, so I'm excited for that.' Frimpong's arrival with begin a busy summer of signings for Liverpool, with Wirtz potentially joining for a club record fee. Watch every Fifa Club World Cup game free on DAZN. Sign up here now.

How Liverpool won the race to sign Florian Wirtz
How Liverpool won the race to sign Florian Wirtz

Yahoo

time23 minutes ago

  • Yahoo

How Liverpool won the race to sign Florian Wirtz

German superstar Florian Wirtz is set to join Liverpool in a deal that could see him become the most expensive player ever signed by a Premier League club. The 22-year-old, who has become one of the most coveted players in world football during his time at Bayer Leverkusen, was a target for Real Madrid, Manchester City and Bayern Munich, though Arne Slot's side quickly moved to the front of the race for his signature. Advertisement Leverkusen had wanted €150m, or £126m, and previously rejected two bids from the Premier League champions. But Liverpool have agreed to sign Wirtz for an initial £100m, potentially rising to £116m, making him their club-record signing. Wirtz, who was an integral part of Leverkusen's undefeated run to a Bundesliga title in 2023/24, has scored 57 goals in 197 games for the club, as well as seven goals in 31 appearances for his national side. But why has the German picked Liverpool as his next club, and when will the deal be finalised? Why Liverpool won the race for Florian Wirtz Wirtz was an integral part of Leverkusen's Bundesliga win in 2023/24 (Getty) Manchester City were briefly seen as the favourites to sign Wirtz, but it quickly transpired that the German wanted to move to Anfield. He was persuaded by Liverpool's vision for him and rejected more lucrative offers because of his desire to move to Anfield. Advertisement City were quick to rule out signing the German too, stating that the deal was too expensive to proceed with, and the club later signed French playmaker Rayan Cherki for around £30m. As for Bayern, the club were long said to be Wirtz's top choice for a move, though Liverpool quickly overtook them as favourites. Several factors will have played a part in this change, with reports suggesting that Leverkusen were reluctant to sell to a domestic rival, though there were also doubts in Munich about the fee involved. "If I'm honest, I don't know if we could have paid what Liverpool are apparently paying now," said Max Eberl, Bayern's director of sport. Advertisement And while fees and inner workings will have been important, there is of course the simple draw of joining a historic club in Liverpool, with a side who have just won the Premier League at a canter and the club well-positioned to continue their recent success. How can Liverpool afford Wirtz? Liverpool have already signed Wirtz's former teammate Jeremie Frimpong from Leverkusen in a deal worth just under £30m (Getty) Liverpool have already announced a deal worth almost £30m to sign Wirtz's Leverkusen teammate Jeremie Frimpong, so a deal for the German could take their spending to around £150m this summer. They are also interested in left-back Milos Kerkez, with Bournemouth valuing the Hungary international at £45m. How can they afford such spending? Well for a start, the Reds spent almost nothing (in relative terms) last summer, with the £12.5m signing of Federico Chiesa the only fee they paid all window. Advertisement In addition, the club have been helped by their revenues and player sale profits, including prize money for winning the league and taking part in the Champions League, as well as a new kit deal with Adidas. This summer, sales could yet provide even more room for more signings. Wirtz's arrival could lead to Harvey Elliott leaving with Liverpool, who have a self-sustaining model, conscious that sales can help them afford to buy. How will Wirtz fit in at Liverpool? Liverpool have broken their club record to sign Bayer Leverkusen's Florian Wirtz (PA) One of Wirtz's most coveted qualities is his versatility, which has seen him feature all across the forward line for his club and country. Advertisement The 22-year-old is best on the left or in central areas, which will have contributed to Liverpool's interest (with the presence of Mohamed Salah meaning the right-wing spot is locked down for the foreseeable future). For Leverkusen, he has featured most frequently in a left attacking midfield role, often tasked with spotting gaps and unlocking opposition defences. His 13 Bundesliga assists last season show he has the eye for a key pass, though he has also displayed dribbling ability of a level that is rare in attacking midfielders, with both assets contributing to another exciting dimension in the Liverpool attack – and one that may be needed as they continue to face low blocks next season. And Wirtz's work rate – something that set Liverpool's players apart last season – is admirable too. He was in the top 10 for duels won and interceptions in the Bundesliga in 2023/24, with an average distance covered of 7.6 miles (12.3km) and 33 sprints per match putting him in the top five for those metrics too. Advertisement It is unclear how he will slot into a title-winning Liverpool side, as he is not a 'left-winger' so to speak, and with Dominik Szoboszlai's importance to the team in central roles, it may be that we are seeing a tactical evolution of sorts from Arne Slot. In any case, it is a welcome puzzle for the Dutchman to solve come next season. You can sign up to DAZN to watch every Club World Cup game for free

Paris FC set to make their first summer signing
Paris FC set to make their first summer signing

Yahoo

time28 minutes ago

  • Yahoo

Paris FC set to make their first summer signing

It is expected to be a busy summer at Paris FC. The club, recently taken over by the Arnault family, have cash to splash as they make the jump from Ligue 2 into Ligue 1. As per L'Équipe, the club may spend as much as €40m on players during the summer transfer window. Their first recruit is now set to arrive, according to a report from Foot Mercato. The publication understands that Paris FC have reached an agreement with Stade de Reims to sign Nhoa Sangui (19). The France youth international, who recently participated in the Maurice-Revello tournament, will make the move to the French capital in a move worth €5m, plus bonuses. Advertisement The Reims youth product made 32 appearances in all competitions last season. However, with Les Stadistes making the drop down to Ligue 2, they will be obliged to sell off many of their assets, including their academy product, Sangui. He is therefore on the verge of becoming Paris FC's first summer signing. With negotiations to sign FC Nantes' Moses Simon ongoing, too, Sangui certainly won't be the last to join the club this summer. GFFN | Luke Entwistle

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into the world of global news and events? Download our app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store