Liverpool 'close to completing Ibrahima Konate deal'

Liverpool are reportedly closing in on the signing of RB Leipzig centre-back Ibrahima Konate.

Jurgen Klopp's side have been linked with a swoop for the Frenchman for some time, as Virgil van Dijk, Joe Gomez and Joel Matip continue their recoveries from long-term absentees.

Ozan Kabak and Nat Phillips have impressed as a centre-back pairing during the trio's absence, but Klopp is expected to be in the market for a more established name in the summer.

According to German outlet SportBuzzer, Konate will "almost certainly" head to Anfield ahead of the 2021-22 season, as Liverpool are prepared to trigger his £34m release clause.

There were fears that Liverpool's preferred payment method of instalments could have derailed a move for Konate, but the Reds are supposedly set to sign the defender on a five-year contract.

Konate started just eight Bundesliga games during an injury-hit 2020-21 season, and he has totalled 95 appearances for Leipzig since arriving from Sochaux in 2017.