The Athletic report Ibrahima Konate is set to sign with Liverpool. Jurgen Klopp’s side are said to be finalising a move, which involves triggering his £36 million release clause.
Konate is an insanely talented player. He has all the attributes to be a world beater.
He is fast, he is built like a giant, and he is only 21. On one hand, he could have been a very smart signing for United, with The Independent reporting interest at the start of February.
One reason United have been beaten to this deal is simply because Liverpool are more efficient in the transfer market. Moving early for a player is not something United do.
But in this case, there’s a bigger reason why United have chosen not to pursue a move for the French defender.
Injury prone
Konate started only six Bundesliga games in the 2019/20 season after a succession of injury issues.
His fortunes have not improved this time around. Konate has suffered more injury issues and started only four Bundesliga starts this season. That’s just 10 league starts in two seasons.
It’s actually surprising to see Liverpool take the gamble on him, considering the injury issues they have endured this season. That’s their problem now.
Konate is young enough to perhaps shake these problems off, but it’s clear why United would be reluctant to get involved.
Eric Bailly has taken five seasons to make it to 100 appearances for United due to his own injury problems.
Phil Jones and Marcos Rojo, who left in January, have spent the last two seasons barely being available.
One of Harry Maguire’s top assets is his durability. He has played 99 games for United in under two seasons.
United don’t want another Bailly, a talented player who is an enigma because he cannot be trusted to start twice a week.
The club just can’t afford to get it wrong, and despite Konate’s high-upside, he just presents too much of a risk, when there are other defenders with far superior fitness records who could be targeted.
It’s unclear which direction United will move in this summer at centre-back, but there are a variety of different options at this point.
Sven Botman, Pau Torres, Raphael Varane, Nikola Milenkovic, Jules Kounde are just some of the names mentioned.
Konate was a temptation due to his talent, but having his name crossed off the list does help narrow down United’s search. And given his injury issues, it may not be a bad thing to miss out.
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