Liverpool transfer news as Ibrahima Konate replacement 'lined up' and $47M ace 'could exit'

Liverpool transfer news as Arne Slot's side is linked with a move for a potential Ibrahima Konate replacement and Curtis Jones is tipped to sign for another Premier League club

Liverpool center-back Ibrahima Konate during a training session.(Image: Nikki Dyer - Liverpool FC via Getty Images)

Liverpool found another new way to drop points late in a Premier League game by losing 2-1 at home to Manchester City, with Dominik Szoboszlai's red card further compounding matters.

Arne Slot's men had gone in front through a screamer from the Hungary captain, but then contrived not only to lose the lead, but also the game. Playing catch-up in the race for the Champions League spots, Liverpool has plenty of work to do.

While it won't be able to do anything in the transfer market to fix things, the Reds will be planning for more additions after securing Jeremy Jacquet ahead of the summer. Here is the Liverpool.com verdict on the transfer gossip to emerge around the Reds today.

Micky van de Ven (Tottenham)

Tottenham center-back Micky van de Ven is one of the top options that Liverpool is considering should it require a replacement for Ibrahima Konate this summer, according to TeamTalk.

Konate, of course, is yet to pen new terms, despite Liverpool being in talks with his representatives. There has been no breakthrough yet and his contract is set to expire when the season ends, as things stand.

Losing Konate would be a major blow. Replacing him with Van de Ven would also not be cheap. Spurs would supposedly demand a record fee for a defender, so the best part of $100M.

Micky van de Ven of Tottenham Hotspur(Image: Rob Newell - CameraSport via Getty Images)

This week has seen Konate linked with Real Madrid once again, while Van de Ven is said to be putting off penning a new deal with Spurs in the hope of exploring his options.

Even with Jeremy Jacquet snapped up from Rennes ahead of the summer, there could still be movement from Liverpool in its defense this summer. Depending on outgoings, it could remain an area that requires work.

Liverpool.com says: Van de Ven is a good defender and he has Premier League experience, but that can go one of two ways. It could well mean that his price tag is enormous or that Tottenham digs its heels in.

Curtis Jones (linked with Newcastle)

Liverpool had zero interest in losing Curtis Jones in January when Inter Milan made a move for the 25-year-old, but Spurs were also linked earlier in the window, and his contract only runs until 2027.

Having failed to make himself one of the first names on the teamsheet, but still a very good player, there are inevitably going to be clubs willing to test the waters on whether a move might be possible

Jones is a very important member of the Liverpool squad and he is also homegrown. Losing him would be far from ideal, though he is entering his peak years and might have a decision to make.

According to TeamTalk, Newcastle United is interested in Jones ahead of the summer, with a valuation of $47 million (£35 million) suggested, which seems a little on the low side.

It might need a replacement for Sandro Tonali and Jones would be able to start every week under Eddie Howe at another major club.

Liverpool.com says: Keeping Jones has to be a priority, but the Reds have a few players whose contracts will need to be addressed sooner rather than later. Alexis Mac Allister and Ryan Gravenberch are in a similar boat.