Xabi Alonso can rub salt into Liverpool wounds with cheeky Ibrahima Konate transfer move
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Liverpool FC NewsTransfer NewsChelsea FCIbrahima Konate is set to leave Liverpool as a free agent this summer and reports suggest Chelsea may look to strike a deal to keep him in the Premier LeagueXabi Alonso will take over at Chelsea this summer(Image: Quality Sport Images, Getty Images)Ibrahima Konate may be offered the chance to stay in the Premier League, with Chelsea considering a move for the Liverpool defender.Konate will leave Liverpool as a free agent this summer after talks between the player and club broke down. The France international had previously revealed his plans to sign a new deal and was expected to pen an extension during the summer.But it has now emerged that Konate will move on and a number of clubs are likely to be keen on his services.
Real Madrid has monitored the 27-year-old while a return to Paris with PSG cannot be ruled out.But according to L'Equipe, Chelsea is also in the running for Konate in what would be a bitter pill to swallow for Liverpool - made worse by Xabi Alonso's arrival at Stamford Bridge.Alonso was linked with the Liverpool job before Arne Slot's arrival and was the name on every fan's lips as pressure ramped up on the Reds boss this season.Liverpool has no plans to fire Slot though and Alonso was confirmed as Chelsea's new manager earlier this month. He will officially start work on July 1 after agreeing a four-year deal but will already be working on transfer targets.It is reported that Konate is a player admired by Alonso with Chelsea ready to 'try its luck' with an approach, although any move is not expected to take place until after the World Cup.Get Liverpool's new 2026/27 home kitThis article contains affiliate links, we will receive a commission on any sales we generate from it.
An experienced addition in the form of Konate would undoubtedly be welcomed at Stamford Bridge.Gary Neville discussed what Chelsea must do last month, insisting: "I flip between thinking they're miles away and thinking if they can get a goalkeeper, an experienced center-back and an experienced center-forward, they could be in business."I'm not talking about a 33-year-old but someone who is 27 or 28, a player who has real presence who can give them some solidity."For Liverpool, focus will now be on replacing the defender this summer. The Reds have already secured the arrival of Jeremy Jacquet, while Giovanni Leoni should be ready for the start of pre-season after his lengthy injury absence.But neither player has Premier League experience and with Virgil van Dijk only having one year remaining on his current contract, a more senior addition appears a necessity.Choose Liverpool.com as a 'Preferred Source' on Google News for quick access to the news you value.Chelsea FCXabi AlonsoLiverpool FC