Liverpool told it could upgrade on Ibrahima Konate for free amid contract wait

Liverpool has been told that Marc Guehi would be an upgrade on Ibrahima Konate, as the Reds continue to pursue a new center-back in the transfer market.

Liverpool is in the market for a new central defender following Jarell Quansah's move to Bayer Leverkusen last month, which left Arne Slot with just three senior center-backs in his squad.

Slot clearly needs reinforcements to ease the burden on Virgil van Dijk, Ibrahima Konate and Joe Gomez, and Guehi has long been linked with a move to Anfield. Guehi is out of contract at Crystal Palace, the club he captains, in 2026, and there is no indication that he intends to pen a new deal with the Selhurst Park club.

Konate has been linked with a move away from Liverpool ahead of the expiry of his contract at Anfield in 2026, and former Liverpool winger Jermaine Pennant believes Guehi's ability on the ball might make him a better option for the Reds than the Frenchman.

“Konate has probably already taken Spanish lessons knowing Real Madrid (laughs)," Pennant told AceOdds.com. "They’re horrible, they are. If Liverpool lose Konate now it puts them on the back foot and makes them weak so I wouldn’t mind losing him for free.”

“Liverpool didn’t pay over the odds or a huge fee for him and he’s been a great servant for the club so if he stayed another season whilst we search out a top replacement I’ll be happy with that.”

“Next year if he goes we thank him for his services and we will get Marc Guéhi where he comes for free or we will agree a deal in January for him. Liverpool are in a good place. Guéhi might be a little better than Konate because of his ability on the ball. He’s a better ball player.”

Liverpool's need for a new center-back this summer was underlined last month as Gomez flew back from the Reds' pre-season tour in Asia due to an Achilles inju ry.

Gomez has a reputation for being injury-prone, and his 2024-25 campaign was ended at the beginning of February by a hamstring injury he sustained in an FA Cup game against Plymouth.

Irrespective of when Gomez returns, it's clear that Slot cannot hang his hat on Gomez due to his fitness record, and Liverpool obviously cannot afford to go into the new season with Van Dijk and Konate as its only other center-backs.

Gomez did not figure in either of the friendlies against Athletic Club at Anfield on Monday as he is yet to return to fitness.

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