Liverpool are set to trigger Jarell Quansah’s buyback as Ibrahima Konate appears destined for an Anfield exit.
The Reds made Jeremy Jacquet the second most expensive defender of all time on deadline day, but their squad remains thin.
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The Pitch Prospect understands Liverpool have agreed a £60million package with Rennes to sign the defender ahead of Chelsea.
The France U21 international has signed a long-term contract at Anfield but will spend the rest of the season in Ligue 1.
And on July 1, Liverpool could face a two-legged tie, with Jacquet becoming the immediate replacement for Ibrahima Konate.
The latter is out of contract at the end of the season and is expected to become a free agent due to interest from foreign clubs.
European football expert Andy Brassell told The Pitch Prospect.com that he believes Liverpool need to further strengthen their centre-back.
Giovanni Leoni, seen as Virgil van Dijk’s long-term successor, has played just once since his £26million move due to injury last summer.
“I’m sure Liverpool will buy another centre-back from here. They have to,” Brassell told The Pitch Prospect.
“They definitely need to buy a new centre-back because depending on what happens with Van Dijk, they won’t be able to have Van Dijk plus Jacquet and Leoni next season.
“They can’t do that. It puts them too thin. So they have to find someone.”
One option remains to trigger the buyback clause in Quansah’s contract with Bayer Leverkusen after he left for £35m in June.
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Jarell Quansah returns to Liverpool
England international Quansah has scored two goals in 26 appearances for Leverkusen across all competitions this season.
Liverpool can activate the buyback of the 23-year-old, who played 13 Premier League games last season, from 2027.
This buyback is estimated to be around £52 million.
Brassell added: “I wonder if Jarell Quansah might come back at some point. I think that has to be a question too.
“We’ve already seen that with players who went to the Bundesliga.
“Or are you even thinking about going back in time to how Dani Carvajal spent his year at Leverkusen before returning to Real Madrid and becoming a Real Madrid legend? That’s always a possibility, I think.”
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Konate wants to leave Liverpool
There have long been rumors that Konate would follow Trent Alexander-Arnold and swap his life under Arne Slot for a move to Real Madrid.
Los Blancos’ interest in the 26-year-old is said to have cooled But a lack of other standout options could reignite their interest.
“To me it feels like Konate is leaving,” Brassell continued. “Marc Guehi has already made his move. Dayot Upamecano is staying at FC Bayern. He is signing a new contract.
“So since there are all these free center backs – and of course Real Madrid were interested in all three at one point or another – it boils down to one elite center back.
“Well, if you’re Konate, if Liverpool aren’t willing to give you the deal you want… and I can understand their reluctance.
“He’s had his fitness issues this season and certainly his form issues as well. But I think in terms of his status he’s still considered an elite centre-back.
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Barcelona could compete with PSG and Real Madrid for Konate
“I think you are capable of getting exactly what you want [Konate] I really want this summer.
“You think about the big clubs looking for a central defender. So Real Madrid are definitely interested. We already know that.
“PSG would be interested. And then you watch from there and maybe Barcelona make an offer.
“They definitely need an additional defender and they don’t have bottomless money for it.
“But he has a lot of options open to him at the moment, especially after the World Cup.
“To have him on a free transfer at the moment, the world is your oyster. The European football world is your oyster.”
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Liverpool legend Jamie Carragher broadly agreed with that verdict while assessing the £60million arrival of Jacquet.
“If you look at Jeremy Jacquet’s style, you can see that Ibrahima Konate is not under contract.” Carragher said on Sky Sports.
“I think Liverpool will buy a proper centre-back in the summer, who I think will play alongside Virgil van Dijk, and then you have two really good young centre-backs.
“They still have to play, but one of them – Giovanni Leoni – is coming back from a cruciate ligament injury, so it won’t be an easy season for him next season.
“Van Dijk will be at a World Cup and he will be 12 months older.
“So if Konate doesn’t sign, they sign another player to replace Konate – a top-class centre-back who is currently playing – and you have those two as replacements. I still think they will get a lot of games.”