Saudi football chiefs will look to tempt Ibrahima Konate to the Kingdom this summer if Real Madrid and Internazionale decide against firming-up their interest in the Liverpool centre-half, SportsBoom can exclusively reveal.
Despite holding several rounds of talks with Anfield’s hierarchy since the beginning of the season, Konate’s representatives are seemingly no closer to reaching agreement about extending their client’s stay on Merseyside.
The impasse has put some of Europe’s most iconic names on notice, with the Spaniards and their Serie A counterparts chief among them.
However, SportsBoom has been told that the money men tasked with growing the Saudi Pro League are also interested in tabling an offer, believing that hiring a player of Konate’s standing and calibre would help raise the competition’s profile and change the perception it can only attract those nearing the end of their careers.
Although pursuing a bid would be difficult given the conflict in the region, Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund, which effectively bankrolls the SPL, are confident that the financial packages they are capable of tabling means they will still prove an attractive destination this summer.
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Aged 26, Konate honed his skills with Paris FC before establishing himself at Sochaux. He made 13 appearances for them before leaving his native France and joining RB Leipzig, spending four seasons in the Bundesliga.
Konate’s performances there attracted The Reds’ attention, paving the way for a £36m switch in 2021.
Having lifted both the EFL and FA cups during his first 10 months in the North-West, Konate helped them win the Premier League title last term.
Capped 26 times by his country at senior level, the former youth and under-21 international was also a member of the squad beaten by Argentina in the 2022 World Cup final.
Tellingly, Liverpool have already begun the process of sourcing a replacement for Konate with skipper Virgil van Dijk also approaching the end of his time there.
