Transfer: Liverpool confirms Ibrahima Konate signing from RB Leipzig
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Liverpool confirms Ibrahima Konate signing from RB Leipzig
Liverpool have announced that they have reached an agreement with RB Leipzig for the transfer of France youth international Ibrahima Konate.
Frenchman Konate, 22, will join the Anfield club on July 1 once his work permit application is approved and medicals are completed. Financial details of the transfer were not revealed but British media reported Liverpool triggered a 41 million euros ($49.82 million) release clause in his contract. Konate had a contract until June 2023 with Leipzig. Konate had a contract until June 2023 with Leipzig, but Liverpool paid out his release clause as the Reds look to bolster their defensive ranks.
“I’m really happy to be joining such a massive club like Liverpool.” said Konate
The 22-year-old defender has agreed a long-term contract with the Reds from July 1, subject to international clearance and a successful work permit application process, after finalising terms and passing a medical.
Jurgen Klopp boosted Liverpool’s centre-back options by signing RB Leipzig defender Ibrahima Konate on a “long-term” contract on Friday. France Under-21 international Konate will compete for a position at the heart of Klopp’s defence after they suffered a host of centre-back injuries this season.
Konate’s release clause at Leipzig was worth in excess of £35 million ($50m), with Liverpool investing heavily in securing his services. Medicals has also been completed, with a top target snapped up early in the summer by Jurgen Klopp.
Konate told Liverpoolfc.com: “I’m really happy to be joining such a massive club like Liverpool.
“It’s a really exciting moment for me and my family and I am really looking forward to meeting my new teammates, the staff and getting started on this new chapter.
“Right now, my focus is on the U21 European Championships with France, but after this competition I know I will be joining one of the best teams in the world and that gives me a great feeling.
“I have worked very hard for many years to get to this point, but I would like to say a big thank you to everyone at RB Leipzig and all the people I worked with there – the coaches, my teammates, the staff and especially the fans. Your support helped me grow up during my time there and become not only a better player, but a better man and I will always be grateful for it.”
Klopp believes Konate’s physical qualities make him ideally suited to the Premier League.
“After the problems we had with injuries in the centre-half position last season, there’s no doubt it was clear it was an area of the team we needed to strengthen. In Ibrahima we are signing a player who will add to the quality we already have here. His physical attributes are very impressive; he is quick, he is very strong and he is dominant in the air,” Klopp said.
“He played for a team in the Champions League in high-pressure matches, who have a similar football vision to ourselves.
“I am confident we are signing a player who can play for us right away, but he is a boy of 22 years of age who has room to improve because of his massive potential.”
Konate will move to Anfield after four seasons in the Bundesliga with Leipzig, where he made 95 appearances and scored four goals. He also clocked up eight runouts in the Champions League with the German club.
Liverpool made Konate one of their primary transfer targets earlier this year. It is understood that Liverpool do not intend to sign Kabak, who arrived at the club on loan from Schalke in January. Liverpool have the option to make that loan move permanent for £18 million plus add ons, but have decided against such a plan.
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Sayantan Dutta
(266 Articles Published)