FSG's preferred payment structure 'makes matters more complex' in Liverpool's pursuit of RB Leipzig's Ibrahima Konate. 

That's according to Paul Joyce, a journalist for The Times.

The lowdown

According to Joyce, Liverpool do indeed hold a 'strong interest' in Konate, something which has been heavily reported in recent weeks.

The Reds are trying to bolster their centre-back ranks after they were decimated by injury this season.

Virgil van Dijk and Joe Gomez saw their seasons halted in the autumn, with Joel Matip joining them on the treatment table in January.

Konate has made 21 appearances for Leipzig this season, having missed 15 games through injury.

The Bundesliga season is set to end this weekend, but Liverpool fans can see Konate in action for France at the Under-21 European Championships.

They take on the Netherlands in the quarterfinals on 31 May.

The latest

Joyce confirmed that Konate had a £34million release clause in his Leipzig contract, but that fee must be paid in one instalment.

FSG, though, prefer to plot payments for transfers in instalments over a number of years, which 'makes matters more complex', per Joyce, potentially throwing a spanner in the works of what was beginning to look like a sure thing.

Last summer, for instance, the Reds paid Wolves only £4million up front for Diogo Jota, with the next £12million due this summer (via The Telegraph).

The verdict

Konate looks to be one of the most promising young centre-halves in Europe (Give Me Sport) so Liverpool fans would be bitterly disappointed if the deal couldn't be completed.

This does, though, underline the financial realities at Liverpool, a club who spend only what they make, after more than a season without supporters.

They need negotiating partners willing to compromise, so perhaps the swoop for Konate has a few more twists and turns yet to come.

In other news, Fabrizio Romano confirmed this news on Sadio Mane's future.