In the latest transfer news, Manchester United are considering making a move for RB Leipzig’s defender Ibrahima Konate this coming summer. Last week Liverpool were said to have landed an agreement with the player. However, they might have to ward off United for his signature now.
Ibrahima Konate is a highly decorated defender playing for RB Leipzig. He joined the German side in 2017 and has been with them so far. However, he has got a bad relation with injuries. Out of the 4 years, he has played, he has featured in only 89 matches. For the past 2 seasons, he has not been able to play more than 15 matches.
Putting aside his injury problems, Konate has all the requirements for a perfect center-back. He is very agile and can quickly recover possession. He has been having a solid partnership with Dayot Upamecano and has been the best defensive pair in the Bundesliga.
Their partnership has also helped the club this season. Despite having no proper number 9, they have survived excellently. Thanks to the solid defence, they currently sit 2nd in the League table. However, their maiden League title hopes have been shattered.
Manchester United looking to hijack Ibrahima Konate
The Red Devils have been long interested in the Frenchman. But they haven’t taken a stern move so far. But it looks like they may finally think of making a move. A defender is one of the main requirements for Ole Gunnar Solskjaer to bolster his squad.
Although Eric Bailly has been looking to fit in that position, Ole has prefered to go with Victor Lindelof ahead of the Ivorian. Eric has one more year with the club and United want to extend his stay at Old Trafford. However, he has been stalling the renewal unless he is guaranteed the time he expects to play.
His frustration might make him leave the club, with the potential new Serie A champions, Inter Milan monitoring his situation. The Red Devils have been looking for a defender for a while and with Bailly’s situation lingering about, they will increase the seriousness of the deal.
Manchester United however have other defenders on their shortlist. Raphael Varane who had almost joined United is linked along with Jules Kounde and Pau Torres. But Konate might prove to be the ideal fit to this side as he also has a reasonable price tag.
Ibrahima Konate has a release clause of £33 million which is a really cheap option. With no urgency to sell the player, any club that wants him will have to pay the release clause. This news will have frustrated Liverpool the most as they were in the pole position to land him.
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