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It was quite the summer for Liverpool in the transfer market - but speculation is already rife as to who else will be making the move to Anfield in the near future.
Having transformed last season's title-winning side and broken the Premier League transfer record twice for Florian Wirtz and then Alexander Isak, Arne Slot's side is the firm favorite to defend its title this season, and it has already made the perfect start to build a five-point lead after just five games.
But sporting director Richard Hughes' work never ends, and he still has plenty to do before January arrives, never mind next summer's window, with one player's future the main focus at the moment.
Here is the Liverpool.com verdict on the transfer gossip to emerge around the Reds today.
Ibrahima Konate (Liverpool)
Ibrahima Konate has "recently rejected" an offer of a new contract from Liverpool, according to Spanish outlet Defensa Central, as speculation continues over a move to Real Madrid next summer.
The offer is said to have been a five-year contract worth around $13 million (€11M) per year, which would have seen Konate more than double his current wages. The French international though is said to have turned that down, and reports elsewhere have suggested that he wants around $271,000 (£200,000) a week if he is to sign a new deal at Anfield.
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Liverpool.com says: In an ideal world, Konate signs a new contract, and Liverpool has one less concern to deal with heading into next summer. The longer this saga drags on for though, the likelier it feels that he'll be going the same way as Trent Alexander-Arnold.
These things do take time, and Mohamed Salah and Virgil van Dijk's situations last season did show that Liverpool still has plenty of time to convince Konate to stay. Regardless of what happens, the Reds will need to sign a new defender next summer. Speaking of which...
Dayot Upamecano (Bayern Munich)
Liverpool is one of the clubs showing an interest in Bayern Munich defender Dayot Upamecano, according to Bayern Insider. The 26-year-old is set to become a free agent next summer, unless he signs a new deal at the Allianz Arena.
Having missed out on Marc Guehi during the summer, it's suggested that Liverpool is looking at Upamecano as a potential alternative to the Crystal Palace captain, no doubt in the knowledge that other teams will likely be interested once Guehi becomes available for free.
It's suggested that the England international remains Liverpool's top target, although Bayern is among the clubs to have also turned their attention to him. Upamecano could therefore come into the reckoning, although it's suggested that his agent has been speaking with Bayern over a possible new contract.
Liverpool.com says: If it was a choice between Guehi and Upamecano, then we'd be going for the former. Upamecano has started this season brightly, although it hasn't always been plain sailing for him at Bayern.
Liverpool will need to have alternatives in mind should Guehi have his head turned by another club next summer, and Upamecano isn't too bad an option to have, but hopefully it doesn't come to that.
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