‘Will say yes’: Journalist has Ibrahima Konate update but also a warning

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Ibrahima Konate would say yes to Liverpool, according to an update from one journalist. However, he also offers a warning.

Journalist Guido Schafer has an update on Ibrahima Konate – he would join Liverpool. The player is supposedly available this summer thanks to a release clause.

Schafer, who cover RB Leipzig, spoke to the Liverpool Echo about Konate. He claims that release clause is around £34m and really talks him up.

There’s a Virgil van Dijk comparison, while he says he’s at least as good as new Bayern Munich signing Dayot Upamecano.

And Schafer believes Liverpool can get him if they pay that release clause.

“If [Jurgen] Klopp will come and say ‘come to the Anfield Road’, I think Konate will say ‘yes’,” said Schafer.

But there’s a catch, of course. The journalist also offered a warning about Konate that ‘is a worry’.

“He had an injury around a year and a half ago and afterwards, he has not been in his real shape,” he said.

“Now, he is fit but not 100 per cent and he needs practice. They are just unlucky injuries but it is a worry for other clubs.

“When he is playing, he is playing really well, but he missed 40 matches in the last three years.”

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This isn’t the first link to Ibrahima Konate, of course. The Mirror have claimed ‘firm interest’ from Liverpool, while Bild said similar.

Easy to see why Liverpool would want him, too. Konate is 21 but experienced in both the Bundesliga and Champions League. He’s comfortable on the ball and in a high-line.

Add in that £34m release clause and you’ve got a fantastic option for any top club.

But then there’s that catch. It’s one we’ve noticed ourselves and we believe Konate’s injury record perhaps should put Liverpool off.

After all, they’re buying a centre-half after an injury-hit season. Squad depth is a huge part of this but frequently-injured squad players are quite useless.

‘Useless’ is certainly too strong for Konate but the fact it, reliability should be at the top of Liverpool’s list. And the Frenchman just can’t offer that.

Does that make him the right investment, then? It would take money and playing-time. The big draw with Konate, after all, is his potential. He needs games to reach it, though.

Liverpool may not give him those games, especially if he’s injured a lot. Konate is a huge talent but we’re not sure he’s what the Reds need right now.