Liverpool appear to be edging closer to signing Ibrahima Konate at the end of the season, with two details holding the key to the move happening.

The Reds are expected to bring in a new centre-back in the summer following a host of problems in that position throughout 2020/21 with long-term injuries to Virgil van Dijk, Joe Gomez and Joel Matip.

Konate has emerged as the most likely player to come in, having caught the eye for RB Leipzig, making 13 Bundesliga appearances so far this season.

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Konate's move to Liverpool edges closer

According to Anfield Central, Liverpool have 'all but completed a deal' to bring the 21-year-old to Anfield as Jurgen Klopp looks to make a key addition to his defence.

The report identified two major aspects in the deal which need to addressed, however, with the Reds needing to pay Konate's release clause, as well as a medical having to be passed.

Once those compulsory requirements have been met, the Frenchman is set to become a Liverpool player.

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Transfer Tavern take

Konate looks set to be an exciting signing by the Reds, with the youngster already shining for a top European side at a very young age, making 94 appearances for Leipzig and being hailed by former Bundeslgia coach Ralf Rangnick as good enough to "play for Real Madrid or Barcelona one day".

His injury record does mean that there may be a hint of nerves surrounding his medical, but you'd hope that Liverpool's scouts have done enough research to believe that his fitness issues won't be a problem moving forward.

Klopp desperately needs a centre-back he can rely on week in, week out alongside Van Dijk, with Gomez and Matip unreliable in that respect, particularly the latter.

In other news, Liverpool have discovered how much they will have to pay for a Reds-linked attacker this summer. Find out who it is here.