RB Leipzig defender Ibrahima Konate wants to focus on the U-21 Euros amid Liverpool transfer rumours

 

Recently some reports claimed that Liverpool who are in search of a centre back have targeted RB Leipzig’s young Frenchman Ibrahima Konate.

The 21-year-old centre back revealed that his phone went berserk as it kept on ringing after the transfer rumours. According to The Athletic, the Reds were in advanced talks with Konate as Jurgen Klopp looked to settle the centre back conundrum at Anfield.

Konate however disclosed that the calls have not distracted the young centre back who aims to take France forward at the U-21 European Championships.

“I woke up, I saw my phone ringing all over the place,” Konate told L’Equipe. “I just wanted to tell them, ‘Hey, I played yesterday, I’m tired, leave me alone.

“Frankly, I don’t even look at this. We can’t focus on that, there are the Euros and then my return to the club. You have to focus on that and not on the external things.”

The reports did suggest that the Reds are in advanced talks with the 21-year-old highly rated centre back. Klopp is looking for a potential partner whom he can pair with Virgil Van Dijk at the heart of the defence next season. While there are other clubs also interested in the youngster, Liverpool looks like early suitors for Konate.

Jurgen Klopp has had plenty of problems at Liverpool as he had to often come up with a plan or sort of manage with several players sitting out on the sidelines due to major injury concerns. Van Dijk’s knee injury back in October ended his campaign and has also increased the headache of the former Borussia Dortmund manager. Other centre back options in Joe Gomez, Fabinho and Joel Matip have also spent a lot of time out with knocks and niggles hindering the backline for the Reds this season.

Klopp tried his best to make amends as he brought Turkish centre back Ozan Kabak on loan from Schalke with an option to buy and paired him up with Ben Davis who joined the Reds from Championship outfit Preston North End. While Kabak showed glimpses of his talent Davies has failed to make a single appearance for the club.

Konate can be the long term fix at the centre back position for the Reds as the Frenchman has sufficient experience having played in the Bundesliga for the last couple of seasons.