Liverpool chasing “elite talent” with same agent as Konate

Ibrahima Konate left Liverpool as a free agent this month after failing to agree a new deal, but his agency could be about to gift the Reds a boost in the summer transfer window.

Liverpool set for youth movement under Iraola

The centre-back had confidently announced after the Merseyside derby win at Everton that a resolution over his contract was imminent, but the club were unable to come to terms on the financial aspects and as a result the defender leaves Anfield after a five-year stay.

Konate had been linked with Real Madrid for most of the season as his contract ticked down but it appears a return to the city of his birth with Paris St Germain looks more likely.

His departure gives Liverpool another headache they did not need heading into a crucial summer having said farewell to senior players Mohamed Salah and Andy Robertson, and with Andoni Iraola arriving looking to make a stamp on his squad.

Rennes centre-back Jeremy Jacquet will arrive in a £60million deal but he does not turn 21 until July, has played just 31 Ligue 1 matches and missed the last four months of the season with a shoulder injury sustained just a week after agreeing his deal with Liverpool.

Giovani Leoni will also return to the squad after suffering a season-ending knee injury on debut in September, but he is only 19.

It leaves captain Virgil van Dijk, who turns 35 in July, in need of a senior partner if Liverpool are to rectify their defensive weaknesses evident this season and could mean Joe Gomez, who has a year left on his deal, may not be ushered out of the door as quickly as first thought this summer.

Iraola meanwhile has been praised for his development of young players throughout his coaching career, and FSG are already showing why they brought in the Spaniard with a move for one of the most exciting young talents in England.

​​​​​​​Liverpool eyeing summer move for English midfielder

Indeed, according to Fabrizio Romano, Liverpool are admirers of Manchester City teenager Xavier Parker.

The 16 year-old midfielder is in demand, and those at the Etihad are trying to convince him to stay and sign his first professional contract, but there is ‘no decision yet’ according to Romano.

Parker is an attacking midfielder with six goals and seven assists in 21 games for City’s youth sides, and there are rumours he is a Liverpool fan.

There are obviously high hopes for the youngster too, as he has already been snapped up by Konate’s agency, CAA Stellar, who represent huge talents such as Barcelona’s Fermin Lopez and the highly sought-after Elliot Anderson, who himself could be on his way to City this summer.