Liverpool’s summer rebuild is accelerating at full speed, with reports from England and Italy claiming the Reds are on the verge of securing a double defensive swoop – Crystal Palace’s Marc Guehi and Italian wonderkid Giovanni Leoni. But as new faces prepare to arrive at Anfield, the burning question among fans has been: What happens to Ibrahima Konate?

The Frenchman, who joined Liverpool from RB Leipzig in 2021, has seen his future thrown into doubt in recent weeks. With his contract slowly winding down and persistent rumours linking him to Real Madrid, speculation grew that he could be one of the high-profile casualties of Arne Slot’s first transfer window.

However, according to fresh reports, Liverpool have now made their final decision – Konate will not be sold this summer. The club hierarchy believe the 25-year-old still has a vital role to play in the new era, especially with Slot planning to implement a more compact, possession-oriented defensive structure.

Sources suggest that Liverpool’s interest in Guehi and Leoni is not to replace Konate, but to reinforce depth and prepare for the long-term. Guehi, valued at around £55m, is seen as an immediate first-team competitor for both Konate and Virgil van Dijk, while 17-year-old Leoni is viewed as one of Europe’s brightest defensive prospects, earmarked for gradual integration into the senior setup.

By keeping Konate, Liverpool are aiming to avoid a defensive overhaul that could unsettle the squad. The French international is expected to be offered a new contract in the coming months, with the club hoping to fend off Madrid’s interest before it turns into a formal bid.

If the deals for Guehi and Leoni go through, Slot will enter the new season with one of the deepest defensive rosters in the Premier League, a move designed to eliminate the injury crises that have plagued Liverpool in recent campaigns.

The message from Anfield is clear – Konate stays, and the Reds are building a wall at the back.