Is Ousmane Diomande the Right Fit if Liverpool Lose Ibrahima Konaté? | OneFootball

Could Ousmane Diomande Be the Ibou Replacement?

Konaté’s Contract Delay Sparks Doubts

There’s a difference between hope and confidence, and right now, Liverpool fans may be stuck somewhere in between when it comes to Ibrahima Konaté’s long-term future. The French centre-back has just one year left on his deal, and although there’s optimism from some corners that he will sign a new contract, the longer the delay continues, the louder the speculation gets. This week’s links to Real Madrid haven’t helped, and the fear is that Los Blancos—fresh from stealing Trent Alexander-Arnold for pennies—may look to run the same playbook again with Ibou. The European heavyweights have form for playing the long game and if the fluency of Trent’s Spanish is anything to go by, it would not be uncommon for them on Merseyside.

At 26, Konaté is entering his peak years as an elite-level specialist. He remains a physically dominant, front-foot defender with the athleticism that made him a pillar of Jurgen Klopp’s defensive transition. But his availability has never quite matched his ability, until last season, that is. Regardless of this recent uplift in availability, the past remains, however, his superb past season form stands above all else. For Michael Edwards and Richard Hughes, this dwindling contract scenario is exactly the sort of predicament they’ve pledged to avoid: another premium player holding leverage with a ticking clock on his deal.

It’s not unreasonable to imagine the club weighing up a sale now—if not to Real Madrid, then to PSG—rather than risk losing an £80 million-valued asset for free in 2026. It’s harsh business, but necessary business, especially in a summer where strategic ruthlessness will define Arne Slot’s rebuild. Liverpool are not there to be plucked and the entire dressing room needs to understand the importance of loyalty to the club.

Diomande Ticks the Right Boxes

If Konaté does go, the replacement shortlist will be stacked with names. Christian Romero, Marc Guéhi, and Ousmane Diomande have all been discussed internally, but in Diomande, Liverpool would be signing the closest stylistic match to Ibou—without the long-term injury caveats. At just 21 years old, the Sporting CP centre-back has already made himself indispensable in a title-winning side under a former manager, Rúben Amorim, who carries many of the traits Liverpool craves.

Powerful in duels, dominant in the air, and calm on the ball, Diomande is built for modern centre-back responsibilities. His ability to push into midfield zones when in possession mirrors the sort of hybrid responsibilities Konaté occasionally took on when stepping into advanced areas. Defensively, he can recover in transition and hold his own in one-on-one situations—a must for a team that wants to play a high line and suffocate opponents.

What makes Diomande particularly attractive is his vast ceiling. He’s already showing the poise of a seasoned professional but still carries the upside of a player who hasn’t yet hit his peak. At £50–60 million, he wouldn’t come cheap, but in a summer where Liverpool might recoup a similar or larger fee for Konaté, the swap could be financially and tactically astute. A hard stance will soon avail itself to the group and that moment could be now.

A Preemptive Strike, Not a Panic Buy

This isn’t about abandoning Konaté—it’s about preparing for the worst while building for the future. Under Klopp, Liverpool became infamous for letting contracts run down and waving goodbye to value and vital funds required to regenerate. Under Edwards and Hughes, those days appear numbered and this early summer shows a true want to invest. If Konaté doesn’t want to sign a new deal, the club won’t be strung along and he will be replaced. And if Madrid is lurking, there’s no room for sentiment or second chances as Liverpool strive to become Europe’s premier destination.

In that context, Diomande isn’t just a fallback or panic alternative. He’s a preemptive strike—a player who can grow under the tutelage of Virgil van Dijk. He’s also less likely to arrive with injury baggage, which could give Liverpool more stability in a position that’s often felt like a game of fitness roulette. If rumours are to become reality, then there is of course the chance that Marc Guéhi is poised to replace the outgoing Quansah, which would immediately upgrade the group.

With so many moving parts in Liverpool’s summer—new fullbacks arriving, Wirtz’s arrival, potential changes in midfield and attack—the backline can’t afford to be the unresolved zone again. Diomande represents a proactive choice, a player who might even exceed Konaté in availability, consistency, and long-term value. If Ibou signs, great. But if he doesn’t, Liverpool must be ready—and Diomande may well be the answer already standing in plain sight.