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Liverpool still have business to do in the transfer market this summer as their Premier League preparations take a step forward.

The Reds began their pre-season schedule on Sunday, comfortably beating Championship side Preston North End on an emotional day at Deepdale.

But while recent days have been all about honouring and remembering Diogo Jota, the sad truth is that Liverpool must return to doing some buying and selling in the coming weeks.

Fans will hope that is more buying than selling, but question marks remain over a number of the Liverpool squad.

Ibrahima Konate is one of those who has been linked with an exit.

The French defender has recently entered the final year of his contract with no extension in sight.

And as Real Madrid prepare to make a push for Konate, the Spanish giants are reportedly growing in confidence after seeing who Liverpool are preparing to try and sign themselves.

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Liverpool could really do with knowing what Konate is planning in regards to his contract.

However, with Liverpool targeting Marc Guehi from Crystal Palace recently, it feels very possible that they are already planning for the No.

5’s departure.

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That is something which has reportedly pleased Real Madrid, with Defensa Central claiming that the Reds’ centre-back search is being watched with glee in the Spanish capital.

President Florentino Perez is said to be ‘rubbing his hands’ as he sees Liverpool prepare to swap Konate for Guehi.

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It’s claimed that the Reds are ready to sell the France international this summer instead of waiting for him to leave on a free next year.

After seeing centre-back pair Antonio Rudiger and Raul Asencio put on a disaster-class in the Club World Cup against PSG last week, Madrid are said to be happy to accelerate the move for Konate.

Liverpool will then reportedly reinvest the funds from the sale into buying Guehi as a replacement.

If Madrid are willing to go early and sign Konate this summer, then Liverpool should push for a deal to be done as soon as possible.

The Reds already need one new centre-back to replace Jarell Quansah this summer, if they have to buy another to fill Konate’s boots then they need to get working on that right away.

Of course, it is very possible that Guehi has already been identified as the player Liverpool want to step straight in for Konate.

Reports from June claimed that Liverpool had persuaded Guehi of the move, so if the coffers are swelled with money from Konate’s sale, a deal with Palace could possibly be completed quickly.

In the grand scheme of things, few Reds fans will want to lose Konate, but if his mind is made up, then it is better he goes now.