Liverpool have spent big so far this summer and this will likely continue, but a few outgoings could happen first.

The Reds have done some pretty impressive business throughout the transfer window, both in terms of buying and selling.

There are still a few areas to which they would like to add to, with the defence being a key focal point due to the uncertainty in this department.

Ibrahima Konate’s future is the one very much up in the air, and no one is too sure yet where he might end up, with the Frenchman having just one year remaining on his contract at Anfield.

Liverpool are now slightly more likely to sign £120m player after what's just happened - journalist	Forget Bradley: Liverpool goal doesn’t happen without 16-y/o whizz-kid’s cool moment	Report: Real Madrid could now use ‘special’ player in a swap deal to sign Ibrahima Konate

The Reds now have a big decision to make as negotiations appear to have hit a stumbling block, although there does appear to be a clear outcome as things stand.



Photo by Liverpool FC/Liverpool FC via Getty Images

Losing a player for nothing is a real kick in the teeth and something Liverpool know all too well after what happened with Trent Alexander-Arnold.

Many fans would have thought that the club will never let something like this happen again, but history appears to be repeating itself as the Frenchman is wanted by Real Madrid on a free transfer next summer.

Although Liverpool are keen for this not to happen, journalist Alex Crook told talkSPORT that Konate appears to be more out than in, with the 26-year-old very likely to go.

MORE LIVERPOOL STORIES

“Konate is in a similar situation to where Trent Alexander-Arnold, Mohamed Salah and Virgil van Dijk were in this time last summer in that he only has a year left on his contract,” Crook said.

“I know Liverpool have been negotiating for quite some time to try and extend that deal but at the moment, it probably looks more like he’ll go on a free transfer at the end of the season than extend.

READ MORE: Liverpool transfer round-up as new striker target emerges and youngsters prepare to leave

“That can change, so if clubs are showing active interest in him, Liverpool may be tempted to cash in on him and maybe that brings Marc Guehi back into the conversation.”

Liverpool fans will be left rather frustrated by this news, and rightly so, with Richard Hughes needing to have a long think about how this can be resolved to benefit both parties.

Usually if a player shows hesitancy to sign a new deal, Liverpool have no problem moving them on as no one is bigger than the club, and they should apply this in Konate’s situation.

To reach a beneficial outcome, the Reds should insist that he either signs a new contract or is sold this summer for some money, meaning it will be a win-win situation.

If there is a refusal to do either, then Konate could find himself in a tricky predicament as if Liverpool decide to just not play him this season as he runs his contract down, then his chance of a place in France’s World Cup squad would be in jeopardy.

They have strong competition for places in this area of the pitch and if he does not get much game time at all, then William Saliba and Dayot Upamecano will likely be the first-choice pairing.

Of course, nobody wants this situation to turn sour but as a big club, the Reds need to put their foot down and show who is in charge, as well as try to stop Madrid from taking another player for free.