Liverpool now looking at signing rapid 23-year-old defender who knows Ibrahima Konate well

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Liverpool are looking to reunite Ibrahima Konate with an old teammate from youth football.

Konate has become a key man for Liverpool over the past few days. Injury to Joel Matip has left the Frenchman as the undisputed partner for Virgil van Dijk.

With Konate struggling with some fitness issues of his own though, it’s now crucial that the Reds look to bring in some help for him, Van Dijk, Joe Gomez and Jarell Quansah

With that in mind, The Mirror report that Liverpool have Konate’s former Sochaux colleague Maxence Lacroix ‘on their radar.’

It’s claimed that with less than two years left on his contract at Wolfsburg, the 23-year-old could be available for ‘£25m plus.’ However, given the relatively short time before he’s a free agent, Liverpool will reportedly attempt to negotiate this fee down.

Lacroix is said to be shortlisted as an ‘immediate’ addition for the Reds. Meanwhile, they’re also claimed to be checking on Crystal Palace’s Marc Guehi as an option for next summer.

Liverpool looking for centre-back reunion

In terms of bringing in a long-term partner for Konate, Lacroix would make a great deal of sense for Liverpool.

Still only 23, the Wolfsburg defender joined Sochaux as a 14-year-old in 2014 – a year before the Reds’ No.5 arrived.

From there, the two rose through the ranks together, with Konate’s journey to senior football admittedly being a little more rapid.

The France international left for RB Leipzig in 2017, while Lacroix stuck around a little longer – finally following Ibou to Germany and Wolfsburg in 2020.

Since then, the 6ft 3in centre-back has been a key man for the Wolves.

Big, strong and commanding, Lacroix is also rapid. According to bundesliga.com, the Frenchman recorded the fourth highest speed during the 2020/21 season. He’s pacy.

That will no doubt all appeal to Jurgen Klopp, as will the potential to get Lacroix on the cheap.

Their careers have trodden similar paths up to this point, could Konate and Lacroix meet once again at Anfield in 2024? This is certainly one to keep an eye on.