official website: I’m really happy to be joining such a massive club like Liverpool. It’s a really exciting moment for me and my family and I am really looking forward to meeting my new team-mates, the staff and getting started on this new chapter. Right now, my focus is on the U21 European Championships with France, but after this competition I know I will be joining one of the best teams in the world and that gives me a great feeling. I have worked very hard for many years to get to this point, but I would like to say a big thank you to everyone at RB Leipzig and all the people I worked with there – the coaches, my team-mates, the staff and especially the fans.
What’s been said?
Reflecting on the move, Klopp told the club website: “I’m really pleased we’ve been able to add a player of Ibrahima’s quality to our squad and he is someone I’ve admired for a long time, ever since I first became aware of his potential when he was at Sochaux.
“After the problems we had with injuries in the centre-half position last season, there’s no doubt it was clear it was an area of the team we needed to strengthen, but I first have to say that the job Nat [Phillips], Rhys [Williams] and Ozan [Kabak] did was incredible. Unbelievable really.
What is the deal worth?
Konate s release clause at Leipzig is worth in excess of £35 million ($50m), with Liverpool prepared to invest heavily in securing his services.
All of the relevant paperwork is now in place, with signatures all that are missing.
A medical will also need to be completed, but those at Anfield are confident that they can land a top target.
Why are Liverpool looking at Konate?
Jurgen Klopp saw best-laid plans decimated by injuries in 2020-21, with his defensive ranks feeling the full force of those blows.
Ozan Kabak was among those acquired in January, in a loan agreement with Schalke, but an £18m ($26m) purchase option will not be taken up there.
The teenager, on the books of Ghanaian second-tier side Steadfast FC, is currently in Germany where he has already sealed a deal with kit manufacturing company Nike.
A big move will add to what has been a remarkable year for the attacker, who began the year playing for Ghana s U17 team, graduated to the U20 outfit in February and then progressed to the senior Black Stars fold in March.
Having earned his first call-up for a 2020 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying matches against South Africa and Sao Tome and Principe in March, he has been named in a 30-man squad for Ghana s upcoming friendly fixtures against Morocco and Cote d Ivoire next month, where he will look to make his debut for the side.
Max Kruse scored the match-winning goal for Union Berlin after Justin Kluivert s opener had been canceled out by Marvin Friedrich’s effort.
With the victory, the Iron Ones finished in seventh spot on the league table after accruing 50 points from 34 games.
Awoniyi is on a season-long loan from Premier League side Liverpool and recently secured a work permit to play in England.
The attacker will be expected to team up with the Reds when pre-season starts and will hope to break into Jurgen Klopp’s squad.
On the other hand, Togo international Ihlas Bebou provided an assist as Hoffenheim ended the 2020-21 campaign with a 2-1 victory over Hertha Berlin.