Liverpool Should Target 27-year-old Premier League Star as Ibou Konate Replacement – Opinion | OneFootball

Romero Would Be the Smart Ibou Replacement

As Liverpool navigates what could be one of the most defining transfer windows in recent memory, the centre-back picture remains clouded by uncertainty. Ibrahima Konaté’s contract situation has stalled, and with Real Madrid and PSG monitoring the situation, the prospect of a summer exit, either this year or next, cannot be ruled out. In response, Liverpool has drawn up a shortlist of possible replacements. And while younger names like Ousmane Diomande and Marc Guéhi have attracted interest, one alternative stands out as a ready-made, top-tier solution: Tottenham’s Cristian Romero. His international teammate, Alexis Mac Allister, recently praised the elite-level abilities of the 27-year-old and though it seems unlikely, the theory of his signing is not that far-fetched.

The Argentina international divides opinion for his aggressive style. Still, for a team needing instant defensive authority and tactical steel, Romero could be the closest thing Liverpool can get to a like-for-like replacement for Konaté, without losing a step in quality or physicality. Within a more refined structure and next to the world’s premier defender, Virgil van

An Elite Defender in Need of a Better Structure

Romero’s time at Tottenham has been a case study in how good players can be dragged down by chaotic systems. Under multiple managers, in fluctuating shapes and inconsistent defensive partnerships, Romero has been the Spurs’ most consistent defensive performer when fit. His World Cup-winning credentials are not just ornamental, they highlight his experience at the highest levels under pressure.

At 27, Romero is entering his peak years and still offers room for refinement. He brings aggressive front-foot defending, elite tackling instincts, and a strong presence in aerial duels. His passing range is underrated, and in a more disciplined, structure-led environment, like Arne Slot’s Liverpool, his occasional rashness could be tempered by a clearer tactical brief and a more reliable unit around him. Playing alongside Virgil van Dijk, or even Guéhi if Konaté departs, would offer the sort of partnership Romero has never enjoyed at Spurs.

While Diomande is a high-ceiling project and Guéhi a calm domestic option, Romero brings the edge, mentally and physically, that Konaté has personified. He’s proven, he’s battle-tested, and above all, he’s a known quantity.

Slot’s System Demands Authority

As Arne Slot begins to reshape Liverpool’s tactical blueprint, central defenders who can lead the line, defend in wide spaces, and operate on the front foot will be critical. Romero fits that mould almost perfectly. His ability to step out of the line to intercept, carry the ball into midfield, and engage attackers early aligns with the Slot-Kompany-esque emphasis on control and proactivity.

Importantly, Romero doesn’t shy away from responsibility. Whether it’s for Argentina or Spurs, he plays with intensity and leadership, two qualities that Liverpool must not lose if Konaté departs. The club may be evolving tactically, but its foundation still rests on defenders who impose their will on games, not those who merely react to them.

If Konaté is sold, Liverpool will not only lose an athletic machine but also one of the few players who brought aggression and intimidation into defensive moments. Romero replaces that profile almost one-to-one, but with even more edge and a higher pedigree in major tournaments.

A Calculated Gamble Worth Taking

Romero won’t come cheap. With a contract running to 2027 and Spurs not known for their generosity in negotiations, any deal would likely require upwards of £60 million. But if Liverpool cashes in on Konaté for a similar figure, the logic becomes difficult to ignore: trade one elite defender who may want out, for another who’s hungry for a platform where he can win now.

Much like the Virgil van Dijk signing in 2018, Romero would represent a statement that Liverpool are not interested in rebuilding with gambles, but rather with players who can lead immediately. He wouldn’t need time to adapt to the league, and in a squad that is rapidly changing shape, his instant readiness could prove priceless.

For Michael Edwards and Richard Hughes, it’s the type of tough, strategic call that defines successful transfer windows. Romero isn’t the fan-favourite project or the shiny unknown—but he might be the one who fits best, right now.

And if Liverpool wants to win right now, that might just matter more than anything.