Liverpool's Ibrahima Konate concern behind £30m Marc Guehi transfer pursuit revealed

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Marc Guehi remains a target for Liverpool(Image: Getty Images)

Liverpool's fears that central defender Ibrahima Konate’s head has been turned by Real Madrid is driving their bid to sign Crystal Palace captain Marc Guehi before the transfer window closes.

In echoes of the season-long saga that saw Trent Alexander-Arnold run down his contract before decamping to the Bernabeu for a cut-price £8.5million ahead of the Club World Cup earlier this summer, the belief at Anfield is that Konate wants to follow the full-back to the Spanish capital when he becomes a free agent next summer.

Unlike Alexander-Arnold, however, the 25-year-old French international has suffered an alarming drop in form - prompting boss Arne Slot to make landing England star Guehi has much as a priority as landing Newcaatle’s £150million-rated want-away striker Alexander Isak before Monday night’s deadline.

Liverpool have conceded two goals in each of their first two Premier League games - and Konate’s form against both Bournemouth and Newcastle has got the alarm bells ringing at Anfield.

The champions will step up their efforts to secure both Isak and Guehi in the next 24 hours - with the Palace skipper also refusing to sign a new deal with less than 12 months left on his current agreement.

Liverpool do not want to pay more than £30million for the 25-year-old given they are facing the prospect of seeing Konate walk away for free next summer just four years after paying RB Leipzig £36million for his services.

READ MORE:Transfer news LIVE: Arsenal agree £45m deal, Man Utd offer withdrawn, Isak to Liverpool updateREAD MORE:Champions League schedule confirmed as Liverpool vs Real Madrid date announced

The Merseysiders have secured Italian defender Giovanni Leoni from Parma for £26million already this summer - and big things are expected of the 18-year-old.

But Slot is looking to put more experience alongside skipper Virgil van Dijk in the centre of his defence.

With Joe Gomez once again struggling to convince after an Achilles issue sustained during Liverpool’s pre-season tour of Asia, the belief is that Guehi will strengthen their chances of retaining the title and going deep in the Champions League.

The belief is that Palace will be open to do business once they have secured a replacement - with Manchester City ’s Manuel Akanji a target.

Ibrahima Konate in action for Liverpool against Newcastle(Image: Getty Images)

Konate will get the chance to show that his early-season dip in form is temporary when Liverpool face title rivals Arsenal at Anfield.

The Gunners’ new £67million striker Viktor Gyokeres hit form with two goals in the romp over Leeds last weekend after a limp performance on his debut at Manchester United.

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Liverpool needed late goals to beat Bournemouth and 10-man Newcastle after throwing away leads in both games - and Slot is a coach who prides himself on defensive solidarity.

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