Defender Key to Liverpool’s Plans Despite Transfer Interest | OneFootball

Liverpool Firm on Konate as Guehi and Leoni Pursuits Continue

Liverpool have no plans to part ways with Ibrahima Konate this summer despite being active in the centre-back market. “The Premier League club are working on deals for Parma’s Giovanni Leoni and Marc Guehi of Crystal Palace, but Konate remains key to their plans for the new season,” reports the Mail.

The 26-year-old France international is central to Arne Slot’s defensive structure, with talks ongoing over a new contract. Real Madrid are monitoring the situation and could move for him as a free agent in 2026 if negotiations stall, while other European clubs also track developments.

Defensive Reshuffle Under Slot

Recent squad changes have increased Liverpool’s need for reinforcements. The sale of Jarell Quansah to Bayer Leverkusen and Joe Gomez’s calf injury have left Konate and 34-year-old captain Virgil van Dijk as the only fit senior centre-backs. Guehi’s leadership qualities and Premier League experience make him an appealing target, while 18-year-old Leoni is seen as a long-term investment despite the difficulty of prising him from Parma this summer.

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Leoni had attracted serious interest from Newcastle before they turned to AC Milan’s Malick Thiaw. Guehi remains open to joining Liverpool if they can agree a deal worth around £35 million including add-ons with Crystal Palace.

Transfer Activity Across the Pitch

Liverpool are also preparing to return with a bid for Newcastle United striker Alexander Isak, a player Slot has admired for some time. Outgoings could include Harvey Elliott, valued at £40 million with a buyback clause, Kostas Tsimikas and Ben Doak. RB Leipzig are showing strong interest in Elliott, while Leeds, West Ham, Wolves and Everton have all been linked with Doak. The club want more than £20 million for the Scotland international.

Federico Chiesa could depart before the end of the window, depending on incoming business. Leipzig’s ongoing negotiations with Chelsea for Xavi Simons have also included questions about potential loan moves for Christopher Nkunku or Tyrique George.

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Holding Firm in the Market

Liverpool’s refusal to consider Konate’s sale underlines their intent to protect core assets while adding quality in key areas. Securing Guehi would give Slot two prime-age centre-backs to rotate with Van Dijk and Konate, while Leoni would represent a strategic signing for the future.

The balance between maintaining stability and refreshing the squad is critical as the champions prepare to defend their title and compete in Europe. Slot’s recruitment so far suggests a measured approach, targeting players who fit the system while avoiding disruptive departures.

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For Liverpool, keeping Konate is essential. His partnership with Van Dijk remains one of the most solid in the Premier League when both are fit, and with Gomez injured, losing him now would be catastrophic. The club’s clarity on this point is reassuring.

The pursuit of Guehi and Leoni shows a sensible two-track strategy: securing a defender ready to start immediately while investing in a prospect for the next decade. Guehi’s leadership at Palace and his composure on the ball would make him an excellent fit for Slot’s style.

Interest in Isak continues to excite supporters. While the midfield and attack already look strong, adding a striker of his calibre would make Liverpool even more unpredictable going forward. There will be mixed feelings over the potential sale of Harvey Elliott, but the buyback clause could soften the blow.

If Liverpool can bring in Guehi, keep Konate, and perhaps add Isak, they would head into the season with depth, quality, and the ability to rotate effectively across all competitions, a recipe for another strong title challenge.