Liverpool urged to sell Ibrahima Konate now with transfer replacement named

Liverpool could be forgiven for feeling a sense of deja vu. Mere weeks after settling the contract sagas that ran throughout the last campaign, it's gearing up to have to do it all over again with Ibrahima Konate — unless it takes drastic action.

In the end, last season had a mostly happy ending. Most importantly, Liverpool won the league at Arne Slot's first attempt, but star players Mohamed Salah and Virgil van Dijk also ended up committing their futures to the club.

However, Trent Alexander-Arnold did not. The combination of the Club World Cup and a Richard Hughes masterclass meant that Liverpool ultimately netted a surprisingly decent fee for someone with a month left on his contract, but it was still a far from ideal departure for a player who was meant to be important at Anfield for years to come.

All being well, Konate would also be part of that long-term plan. But he has become the latest to let his contract enter its final 12 months.

Liverpool may well decide to handle the situation in the exact same way as the other negotiations. Clearly, the wrangling behind the scenes did not end up being much of a distraction last season, and the Reds ultimately got what they wanted in two out of the three cases.

But it also has the option to cash in now, as has traditionally been the default when a high-value player reaches their final year with no signs of renewing. That's what Glen Johnson has urged Liverpool to do.

"Football is a business but it's crazy that a player at that age and ability can leave on a free," Johnson said of Konate, speaking to AceOdds.com. "Ideally, Liverpool would cash in now, but when Real Madrid comes knocking and the player wants to go, what can you do?"

As with Alexander-Arnold, it seems Real Madrid is the most likely suitor. However, it has shown a potential willingness to table a bid rather than wait a year.

(Image: James Gill - Danehouse/Getty Images)

Per Caught Offside, the Spanish giant would bid up to $34 million (£25 million) this summer. Liverpool would want more like $54 million (£40 million), but Johnson thinks it is vital to sell now — assuming Konate allows it.

"He can refuse to move, sit and wait," Johnson conceded. "Madrid have the power and pull and it’s sensible to use it to their advantage. For Liverpool and other teams you have to cash in sooner because it will cost a fortune to replace Konate."

However, Liverpool may have plans to find a Konate replacement on the cheap. As it happens, it could be looking to exploit a very similar situation, with potential target Marc Guehi into the final year of his Crystal Palace deal.

The incentive for Crystal Palace to sell is even stronger. Not only is it more reliant on transfers for its income streams, given that it lacks Liverpool's commercial clout, it also seems more of a certainty that Guehi will not sign an extension.

As a result, Liverpool senses a bargain, although it may not be quite so simple. But if a deal is doable, Johnson believes Guehi would be the ideal replacement.

"Marc would be the standout option for me," Johnson said. "If they signed him now he would have more time to grow and develop with Van Dijk.

"He won’t learn from anyone better, age is on his side too. It could be a good partnership.

"He’s a raw defender and he’s good on the ball. He’s quick, strong and calm on the ball. If he can brush up on a few minor details he could go on to be some player, not that he isn’t already."

Guehi alone may not be enough if Liverpool did indeed choose to sell Konate, given that Jarell Quansah is on the verge of an exit as well. But if a reasonable offer is tabled, the Reds may have to think about it, with a steady procession of free transfers not a pattern it wants to entrench.

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