When William Saliba chose to extend his stay at Arsenal, Gunners fans popped champagne, while somewhere in Liverpool, a few anxious sighs echoed across Anfield. The French defender’s loyalty to North London might seem like a personal win for Mikel Arteta, but according to sources, the aftershocks could rumble straight toward Merseyside. Why? Because Real Madrid, denied one shiny toy, are already eyeing another: Ibrahima Konate.
William Saliba and Real Madrid’s broken heart
Real Madrid had William Saliba circled, highlighted, and probably wallpapered across Florentino Pérez’s office. They saw him as the anchor of their next generation. But Arsenal locked him down, and now Los Blancos are forced to glance at the second page of their wish list. Enter Konate, a player Liverpool cannot afford to lose unless they plan to turn Virgil van Dijk into a one-man army with part-time goalkeeper duties.
William Saliba creates a headache for Klopp
With Konate’s contract expiring soon, Real Madrid smell opportunity like a shark catching a drop of blood. Liverpool, meanwhile, have quietly lined up Crystal Palace’s Marc Guehi as the “in-case-of-emergency-break-glass” option. However, Madrid has also linked Guehi, which makes this a double slapstick moment straight out of a footballing sitcom.
My opinion on the Saliba twist
Honestly, this feels less like football strategy and more like a soap opera. Liverpool are playing contracts, Real Madrid are shopping as though it were Black Friday and Arsenal are smiling ear to ear. And, should I be Klopp, I would padlock the locker of Konate with padlocks and chains and probably even have him swearing on pinky. Because if Madrid do swoop, Liverpool’s defense might start looking more like Swiss cheese than steel.Liverpool’s entire summer could depend on whether they keep Konate or lose him to Madrid’s charm offensive. If Guehi also leaves, Klopp might have to improvise in football.
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