Richard Hughes has found Liverpool their NEW Ibrahima Konate

Liverpool have got their eyes on a new Ibrahima Konate as the Frenchman continues to be linked with a move away.

There's rightfully an awful lot of focus on the future of Virgil van Dijk right now. The Liverpool captain's contract expires at the end of the season and he'll be free to depart to whomever he wishes.

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But that's far from the only worry Liverpool have at centre-back right now. Ibrahima Konate is very much a concern for the Reds as he prepares to enter the final year of his own contract.

That happens this summer - the same day that Van Dijk's expires, actually. Liverpool will face an enormous decision as a result of that: do you sell now or risk letting Konate run his contract down?

Of course, that's the same decision they faced with Van Dijk last summer but there is a massive difference here. Konate, unlike Van Dijk, carries an incredibly high price right now.

The Dutchman didn't really have that last summer due to his age, while he remains the most important defender (and arguably player) at Liverpool. It meant the club never actually considered selling Van Dijk in 2024.

Konate, however, is about to enter his prime. Liverpool absolutely can sell him for a large fee this summer and as Anfield Watch exclusively revealed, Paris Saint-Germain are interested.

Konate is from Paris, making this one particularly interesting. Liverpool could almost feel pressured into selling the Frenchman - letting another star leave for free feels impossible at this point.

And that'll be why Liverpool have reportedly found themselves a replacement.

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Liverpool eye Sikou Niakate

Africa Foot reports that Liverpool are interested in SC Braga defender Sikou Niakate. The centre-back is enjoying another really solid season in Portugal.

Niakate has also had plenty of interest in him. The report mentions both Manchester United and Manchester City as looking into deals last January, while Bologna, West Ham United and Galatasaray have all considered moves.

No one has quite jumped on him, however. That's despite a €30m release clause that makes any move relatively straightforward, too.

And Niakate does look like a 'Liverpool' kind of transfer. That release clause almost certainly undervalues him, especially as he's moving into his prime at 25.

He's an aerially dominant defender, too, winning just shy of three duels per 90 minutes. In fact, his aerial figures are remarkably similar to Konate's (Niakate faces four duels per 90 and wins 2.8, Konate faces 3.7 and wins 2.6).

The pair also pass the ball at similar numbers. They both sit at around 62 passes per 90 minutes, though Konate completes a high percentage (90 per cent to 87 per cent).

It does feel like the kind of calculated risk Liverpool like to take on a player. Niakate could be a bargain and appears to be something of a Konate-lite

If the Reds really are pressured into selling this summer, don't be surprised if you're hearing a lot more about the Malian at Braga.

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