Report: Liverpool run into prob that threatens Ibrahima Konate deal

Add as preferred source on Google

Liverpool have hit a problem in their Ibrahima Konate deal, according to reports. The Reds won’t be completing this one quickly.

This comes from The Times. They claim that Liverpool have hit a stumbling block as they look to complete a deal for Ibrahima Konate.

It’s a fairly simple problem, too. Liverpool must pay his £34m release clause but have to do so in one go. They can’t offer installments.

That’s in stark contrast to the Diogo Jota deal, for instance. Liverpool reportedly paid under £10m upfront for that one, spreading the cost over a few years.

That allowed them to complete a £40m+ move despite financial constraints. They won’t have that luxury with Konate and it’s making it difficult to complete.

Ibrahima Konate move to Liverpool hits problem

There’s no simple way to get around this one. If Liverpool don’t have the money, they don’t have the money. It’s difficult to see where they get it quickly, too.

Because the longer they wait, the more likely it is that someone jumps in ahead of them. There’s no need to negotiate with RB Leipzig, after all – pay the £34m and they accept.

It makes it possible for someone to turn Konate’s head. He may not want to wait a while to find out his future. Especially as he watched teammate Timo Werner wait and wait over a move to Liverpool before seeing them pull out.

But losing a big chunk of cash in one go like this would impact Liverpool’s other plans. After all, £40m goes a long way if every deal costs £10m upfront. It disappear all in one go for a release clause, then.

Liverpool need to weigh up some things, then. Firstly, is Konate so important that they can risk not funding other deals? Secondly, is Konate so important that they can’t afford to wait?

There will be differing opinions on both questions. On the one hand, centre-back feels like an absolute necessity and if Konate is the best available, the Reds should just get him.

On the other hand, there are other targets available. And with Gini Wijnaldum’s contract running down, Liverpool will want to sign a midfielder.

We’ll have to wait and see here, then. Hopefully, Liverpool can get this one over the line as we’re quite excited about Konate’s potential.

But we do finally know why there’s a sudden delay after so many reports said it was close.