Depending on which news media outlet or journalist you believe Ibrahima Konate is either a shoe-in for Liverpool or certain to sign a Leipzig contract extension.
The truth is likely somewhere in the middle.
No doubt the Frenchman’s decision will hinge partly on whether the Reds secure Champions League qualification for next season.
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However, with the Reds’ four first team centre-back options all currently ruled out due to injury and Konate’s injury record rather patchy, if the RB Leipzig defender does opt to stay in Germany, it will not be the end of the world.
Liverpool need a reliable defender.
Undoubtedly, a centre-back addition will be Michael Edward’s biggest priority this summer. The Reds have failed to fill the void left by Dejan Lovren who departed for Zenit St Petersburg last summer.
And the club may look to stay in Eastern Europe when choosing the Croatian’s successor.
Attila Szalai is not a name many will have heard of but back in his home country the Hungarian centre-back has already been dubbed as the ‘new Virgil Van Dijk.’
Szalai attracted rave reviews helping his nation qualify for the Euros and the Nations League A group last year.
The 23 year old has been impervious at the back for Fenerbahce since his move in January and the likes of Leicester, Napoli, AC Milan and RB Leipzig among other top teams are purportedly interested in his services.
⚽️📊 Attila Szalai has been a revelation since arriving at Fenerbahce in January.
— First Time Finish (@firsttimefinish) March 13, 2021
And his stats are proof.
🇭🇺 The Hungarian could be an integral figure at the European Championships this summer.
For just £1.8m the Turkish giants got themselves a bargain.
(📷 @NinadB_06 ) pic.twitter.com/zuUm9GAoeZ
No doubt Attila Szalai will play a key role in Hungary’s Euro 2020 campaign where he will come up against the likes of Muller, Mbappe and Ronaldo in a tough group.
Liverpool scouts will be able to assess the Hungarian’s talent there first hand.
There is a lot to admire about the 23 year old. He is strong aerially, comfortable at progressing the ball and has the pace to make important recoveries. He’s scored 6 goals and registered 3 assists in 41 games in all competitions this season.
On top of that he’s also capable of playing at left-back and could potentially fill in for Andy Robertson.
And unlike Konate, Szalai has a pretty clean injury record which bodes well for the club.
Of course he is yet to be tested at the highest stage, however, if he stands up to the test at the Euros this summer, Liverpool and Michael Edwards could pull off yet another masterstroke.
Which centre-back would you like to see at Liverpool?