Jamie Carragher makes Liverpool summer transfer prediction amid Ibrahima Konate theory

Jamie Carragher has made a Liverpool summer transfer prediction involving Ibrahima Konate after the Reds confirmed an agreement to bring in Jeremy Jacquet from Rennes

Sky Sports pundit Jamie Carragher.(Image: James Gill - Danehouse/Getty Images)

Liverpool confirmed an agreement for the summer signing of Jeremy Jacquet from Rennes on Monday, with the deal understood to be worth a total of $82 million (£60 million) including add-ons.

And Reds legend Jamie Carragher says the move could offer a hint as to what else Liverpool has planned when the next transfer window opens, when more surgery to Arne Slot's roster will be required to add depth in key areas, including at center-back.

"When you look at stylistically what Jeremy Jacquet is, it tells me Ibrahima Konate is not signing," Carragher said on Sky Sports' Monday Night Football.

"I think Liverpool are going to go and buy a proper center-back in the summer, who I would imagine will play alongside Virgil van Dijk, and then you've got two really good young center-backs.

"They still need to play, but one of them — Giovanni Leoni — is coming back after an ACL, so it is not going to be an easy season for him next season.

"Van Dijk is going to be on the back of a World Cup, and he's going to be 12 months older.

Sky Sports pundit Jamie Carragher.(Image: Sky Sports // YouTube)

"So, if Konate doesn't sign, they sign another player to replace Konate — a top-of-the-range center-back to play right now — and you've got these two as back-up. I still think they'll get plenty of games."

Liverpool had agreed a $47 million (£35 million) deal with Crystal Palace to sign Marc Guehi in the summer, only for that move to fall through at the last minute. Guehi then joined Manchester City last month.

"The situation with Guehi changed, for me," Carragher continued. "In the summer, Guehi was being brought in to provide competition for Konate — not necessarily take his place right away.

"It's got to the stage with Konate this season where if you're buying someone, it is to replace him now. Maybe he is not going to sign, and maybe he is not the same player.

"I look at Guehi and I worry about his height. The make-up of the Liverpool team — Wirtz, Mac Allister, Kerkez, Frimpong — and then you bring in a center-back who is not the biggest... for me, Liverpool had to go and buy a giant.

"Jacquet definitely is that. The one they bring in during the summer I hope also has that."

Liverpool.com says: Jacquet fits perfectly into the long-term plan at Anfield. He is hugely talented but can be integrated right away. If Konate signs, that looks to be a nice balance of options; if he leaves, another addition will be required to replace him.