On March 28th, it was reported Liverpool were finalising a deal to sign RB Leipzig’s Ibrahima Konaté.
Two days later, RMC Sport from France explained the Reds have ‘already made the player undergo a few medical tests’ as he should sign for them in the next market.
Earlier this week, we relayed news from Germany that Leipzig will be ‘powerless’ in retaining the France U21 international, if he continues to impress for club and country in the coming months.
The same report mentioned the Merseyside club’s interest in signing the centre-back.
With the rumours linking the 21-year-old with a move to Liverpool increasing, Bild were given an opportunity to interview Konaté.
When specifically quizzed about last month’s report from The Athletic regarding Jürgen Klopp’s side activating his €40m release clause, Konaté said: “There are often rumours in football and many believe them immediately.
“I or my agents didn’t get a call from Liverpool. I also have big goals with RB Leipzig: These are currently the best possible results in the Bundesliga, reaching the cup final and the U21 European Championship with France.”
Dayot Upamecano has agreed to join Bayern Munich in the summer and earlier indications were that Konaté will take his compatriot’s place to become the leader of Leipzig’s defence next season. Konaté, however, feels otherwise.
“No, I don’t want to be Dayot’s successor. I’m me. We both came to Leipzig in 2017 and played well together here. Unfortunately, our paths are now parting. I’ll give Dayot the new job and continue doing my thing here,” he explained.
Bild then asked the defender if he can ‘reassure’ Leipzig fans that he will at the club after this campaign. Responding to that, Konaté said: “I have a contract until 2023. And contracts are there to fulfil.”
The central defender has not denied that he will leave Julian Nagelsmann’s side in the next market, but he did stress there has been no contact with Liverpool so far.
