Barcelona seeks deal for Liverpool’s Konaté after Hansi Flick approves
Barcelona have identified Ibrahima Konaté as their top defensive target following the departure of Iñigo Martínez to Al-Nassr. According to El Nacional Cat, coach Hansi Flick has already approved the Frenchman’s arrival, and the club is preparing a €20 million (R$126 million) offer to Liverpool.
Why Barça Want Konaté
Two main factors drive Barcelona’s pursuit:
- Martínez’s exit has left a gap in central defense.
- Konaté’s contract expires in June 2026, which could make him available for a relatively modest fee.
Club president Joan Laporta is reportedly exploring ways to finance the transfer, including offloading players like Héctor Fort, Iñaki Peña, and Oriol Romeu to raise funds.
The Challenges of Signing Him
Despite Barça’s optimism, the deal is far from straightforward.
- Konaté, 25, is a first-choice starter under Arne Slot and widely regarded as one of the best defenders in Europe.
- Liverpool are reluctant to weaken their back line, even if it risks losing him on a free transfer later.
Adding further competition, Real Madrid are also monitoring Konaté. The Merengues could attempt a pre-contract agreement in January 2026 if the player does not extend with Liverpool.
Liverpool’s Position
Liverpool remain determined to keep Konaté and are working on a contract renewal. He is seen as the natural long-term partner to Virgil van Dijk, forming the backbone of the Reds’ defense.
The club started their Premier League campaign with a 4-2 victory over Bournemouth, with goals from Hugo Ekitike, Cody Gakpo, Federico Chiesa, and Mohamed Salah.
