Liverpool to push ahead with £40m Konate move

The Reds have identified the France U-21 international as their No.1 centre-back target this summer, as Jurgen Klopp looks to reshape his squad

Liverpool will push ahead with plans to sign defender Ibrahima Konate from RB Leipzig this summer, Goal can confirm.

The Reds are ready to meet the release clause in the France U-21 international’s contract, understood to be worth around £40 million ($57m), and expect the 22-year-old to become the club’s first major signing as Jurgen Klopp looks to reshape his squad.

It comes after a campaign in which Liverpool suffered an unprecedented number of injuries at centre-back, and shows a determination on Klopp’s part not to find himself in a similar…