Richard Hughes 'contemplating' replacement for Liverpool ace who is 'at the heart' of Reds' problems

Richard Hughes

Liverpool are planning their transfer business as they prepare to make further changes at Anfield

Arne Slot and Liverpool sporting director Richard Hughes are now ‘contemplating’ the club’s approach to replacing Ibrahima Konate amid ongoing difficulties with contract talks.

The centre-back is quickly approaching the end of his terms at Anfield and will be free to enter pre-contract conversations with overseas clubs in the new year.

Real Madrid are reportedly still interested in Konate, despite some contrasting updates suggesting they were focusing on other targets.

Paris Saint-Germain are also linked with the 26-year-old and are said to be long-time admirers of the local talent.

According to CaughtOffside, Hughes and Slot are now considering Liverpool’s next steps in their plans to boost their defence.

Konate is still no closer to signing a new contract at Anfield, having already rejected three approaches from the club.

With a little more than six months left on his current deal, the Reds must consider bringing in someone to replace him.

The report claims that Liverpool have created a ‘three-man shortlist’ of targets who they could look to sign in 2026.

Defence has been a worrisome area for the Premier Leaguechampions this season and the future looks uncertain amid talks of both Konate and Joe Gomez leaving the club, as well as Virgil van Dijk approaching his 35th birthday.

One of the names on Liverpool’s shortlist is Jeremy Jacquet of Rennes. Liverpool have ‘extensively scouted’ the 20-year-old this season, with representatives of the club reportedly at multiple Ligue 1 fixtures to watch him in action.

Scouts are said to be ‘convinced’ Jacquet can grow into a ‘world class operator’ under Slot.

Borussia Dortmund’s Nico Schlotterbeck is also on the list, as Liverpool have noticed he is also experiencing ‘ongoing contract issues’ with his current club.

The last name is of course, Marc Guehi. Liverpool remain heavily linked with the Crystal Palace star after coming close to signing him on Deadline Day over the summer.

Konate has earned plenty of praise during his time at Liverpool but some of his performances this season have attracted criticism from fans, pundits and the media alike.

Frustrations grew when the Frenchman recently gave away a penalty against Leeds United, allowing the Premier League new boys back into the game, which eventually ended 3-3.

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