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Liverpool fans may have uttered a sigh of frustration, or perhaps a choice swear word, when the latest rumors surrounding Ibrahima Konate broke.
"Not another Real Madrid transfer saga," will be the immediate response. After Trent Alexander-Arnold’s long, drawn-out departure last season, supporters will take another Anfield extraction particularly personally. Like Alexander-Arnold, Konate’s exit would represent a major blow to Arne Slot.
That was underlined by two excellent performances for France over the recent international break, while the display against Arsenal will hopefully have put to bed any early-season jitters. Regardless of what happens next summer, he is expected to play a big role between now and May.
The reports from Spain in recent days have indicated that Real now feels confident of securing his signature - but then, what’s new there?
It’s a familiar tactic deployed by the 15-time European giants in securing elite-level talent for free, as shown by Kylian Mbappe, David Alaba, Antonio Rudiger, and Alexander-Arnold in the last four years - although the latter did ultimately cost Real a nominal fee.
That said, some may wonder whether the allure of the Premier League now outshines that of the Bernabeu. And is there a more upwardly mobile club than Liverpool at present?
Either way, The Athletic claims Konate "could be playing both sides in negotiations until he chooses the option that suits him best."
It wouldn’t be the first time that Real’s arrogance has ended unsatisfactorily.
After all, Mbappe’s arrival was stalled for two years due to the politics and behind-the-scenes shenanigans at Paris Saint-Germain.
What is clear for now is that Konate’s situation threatens to dominate Liverpool’s transfer landscape over the coming season.
Reports have indicated that recent talks have proved unsuccessful, and whatever the truth of the situation, that the former RB Leipzig man has entered the final 12 months of his contract is alarming.
The Reds future-proofed to some extent with the summer addition of Giovanni Leoni, while Marc Guehi’s arrival from Crystal Palace could prove to be a straightforward deal to conclude next summer, even if Konate’s exit would be an undoubted blow.
Optically, it would also not make a great impression. Losing two players to a major Champions League rival two years in a row doesn’t enforce the view that the Reds are among the continent’s leading lights now, even after the assertive summer of spending.
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