Liverpool hold new contract talks with Ibrahima Konate in effort to fight off PSG interest in defender as £50m Dean Huijsen lined up as replacement

Konate’s contract at Anfield expires at the end of next season and, as they seek to extend his stay at the club beyond then, the Reds also hold an interest in Dean Huijsen as a potential replacement for the France centre-back.

TeamTALK reported that there has been no breakthrough in talks between Liverpool and Konate, with the decision made to focus on his contract in response to interest from PSG, who knocked the Reds out of the Champions League this season.

If no resolution can be reached with Konate, then there could be motivation on Liverpool’s part to cash in and avoid losing him for free at the end of next season. Should that scenario play out, then a move for Huijsen may be on the cards. The Reds are interested in the Bournemouth defender, but are expected to have competition from Chelsea, Arsenal and Newcastle United.

There’s reason to believe Liverpool would not be too upset at the thought of losing Konate, if they could indeed replace him with Huijsen, who has impressed significantly for Bournemouth this season and has contributed to seven clean sheets in the league this season. The Spain international has been on the pitch for 25 of the 40 league goals Bournemouth have conceded. Konate has seen 21 of Liverpool’s 31 goals conceded with him on the field.

Huijsen has made more blocks (25 to 15), interceptions (49 to 11) and clearances (160 to 110) than Konate in the league this season despite playing the same amount of games (27). Konate has the edge in terms of aerial duels won (69 to 61) and tackles (36 to 33).

Konate will hope to help Liverpool get over the line and clinch the Premier League title on Sunday, when the Reds will need just a point against Tottenham to win the league.

Bournemouth host Manchester United earlier on the same day, with Huijsen likely to be key as they look to take a step towards European qualification.