RB Leipzig expect Ibrahima Konate to join Liverpool this summer

joined

from the Ligue 2 side FC Sochaux-Montbeliard in 2017. The young defender has established himself as one of the most promising center-backs of the Bundesliga in recent seasons. According to

Sky Sports

,

are set to activate Konate's release clause in the summer, with

Jurgen Klopp

being a big fan of the player. Konate featured in only 14 Bundesliga matches last season as he suffered an ankle injury in December which sidelined him for two months.

, who played the majority of the season alongside

at the heart of the team’s defense, will also leave the club in the summer. Upamecano will join

, who are keen to find a long-term replacement for

. Konate’s contract with Leipzig runs until 2023, but Liverpool are expected to activate the player’s €35m release clause.

Back in March, Leipzig's sporting director

Markus Krosche

said the club were hopeful of keeping Konate.

"I think that this is not an option for Ibu,

" Krosche said.

"He has a long contract with us and he knows what we mean to him and what he means to us.

"He was unlucky last year as he had a long-term injury but this year he is developing well and he is an extremely important player that has a lot of potential.

"We want to help him to develop further, and we play in Europe and have a very good team, so I don't see a reason for him to leave us."

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