'I hear...' - Expert: Liverpool 'confident' of agreeing deal to sign Bayern Munich star

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(Credit: Imago) Tue 30 September 2025 13:06, UK Arne Slot has enjoyed another strong start to the season at Liverpool but may now be facing issues with uncertainty in the transfer market.Ibrahima Konate‘s future remains undecided with his contract set to expire at the end of the season and intense interest from Real Madrid.Football Insider revealed on 20 September that Liverpool are already planning to replace Konate and have drawn up a list of potential targets.Since then, backup centre-back Giovanni Leoni has suffered a cruciate ligament injury, adding increased urgency to the transfer plans at Anfield.As a result, Liverpool have established five centre-back targets including the likes of Marc Guehi, Jan Paul van Hecke and Dayot Upamecano.Credit: ImagoLiverpool plotting move to sign Dayot UpamecanoLiverpool are targeting Bayern Munich’s Upamecano, who is out of contract at the end of the year, after he emerged as one of their options to replace Konate.The defender’s “stunning” pace is seen as a key asset by Slot, but the Reds are not expected to be the only club interested in poaching him from Munich. MORE FOOTBALL INSIDER STORIES That is according to former Man United and Blackburn chief scout Mick Brown, who remains very well-connected within the game, as he exclusively told Football Insider that Liverpool are “confident” of tempting him to join with the offer of first-team football.“I hear Upamecano is being spoken about with a move to Liverpool,” he told Football Insider.“I’ve watched him a few times, he’s got a lot of qualities that would benefit Liverpool, so it makes plenty of sense that they are looking at him.“He’s got stunning pace, he’s very very quick, and that’s a valuable asset for any of the top teams because that pace can get you out of trouble.“There was always a bit of a concern for me that he would bring the ball out from the back and get caught in possession, which would put his team in trouble.Credit: Imago“That’s something I expect he’s now stamped out of his game, but Liverpool scouts are watching him and it will be up to them to figure out the pros and cons.“If he’s going to be available on a free, I don’t doubt there are other clubs interested in him, but I think Liverpool will be confident they can beat them to him.“If he’s seen as the long-term replacement for Konate, then he’ll be playing regular first-team football for the Premier League champions, that’s not a bad offer.”Upamecano could be tempted to make the switch to the Premier League, while Liverpool continue to assess a number of alternative centre-back options.Liverpool eye centre-back targets after Upamecano blowLiverpool have suffered a blow in their pursuit of Upamecano after Bayern Munich director Max Eberl confirmed they planned to open contract talks.While the Reds are still confident of agreeing terms should he become available on a free, the German giants have been bullish in their plans to extend his stay.As a result, Slot may be forced to look elsewhere for transfer targets, with Joe Gomez currently representing the only option behind Konate and Virgil van Dijk.Credit: ImagoFootball Insider revealed on 28 September that Wataru Endo could replace Leoni in the short-term as a makeshift centre-back before the window opens.Meanwhile, Ryan Gravenberch dropped into the role after Konate’s withdrawal in Liverpool’s 2-1 defeat to Crystal Palace at Selhurst Park.For more Liverpool and exclusive news, follow us on Facebook or join our brand new WhatsApp Channel for instant updates to be sent straight to your phone.