Chelsea as transfer rivals: Is Alonso interfering with Bayern? | OneFootball

Xabi Alonso and Chelsea FC could enter into a transfer duel with FC Bayern, as both clubs are interested in the free-scoring central defender.

Ibrahima Konaté will apparently leave Liverpool FC on a free transfer this summer, putting a central defender on the market who has also been on FC Bayern’s radar for some time.

A contract extension for the Frenchman at Anfield Road was actually considered likely for a long time. Konaté himself was still publicly optimistic in April. „We are close to an agreement,“ said the 27-year-old at the time.

Now the situation has apparently completely changed. As transfer expert Fabrizio Romano reports, talks between Liverpool and Konaté have broken down. An agreement between the two parties is now said to have been ruled out.

This is a bitter setback for the Reds, as Konaté was one of the club’s most important defensive players last season. In 51 competitive matches, he and captain Virgil van Dijk formed one of the most stable central defences in the Premier League.

Chelsea involved in Konaté poker

photo: IMAGO

Konaté’s free transfer status makes him interesting for numerous top clubs. In addition to FC Bayern, Chelsea FC are apparently also interested. According to French media, Xabi Alonso, who will take over at the Blues this summer, is specifically looking for an experienced leader in defence.

Konaté would fit this profile perfectly: at 1.94 meters tall, with tremendous tackling power and international experience, the French international has much that Chelsea desperately need after a disappointing season.

This could complicate matters for FC Bayern, as Alonso of all people, once a professional at the German record champions himself, could now pose a threat to the Munich club as a potential transfer target.

Although Konaté is available on a free transfer, a deal would be anything but cheap due to salary, hand money and consultancy fees. Nevertheless, a defender of his class without a traditional transfer fee is a rare opportunity on the market.

Bayern are monitoring the situation closely

FC Bayern are continuing to keep a close eye on developments surrounding Konaté. The Frenchman would be of great sporting interest to the Munich club. They know him well in the Bundesliga from his time at RB Leipzig, and he also has exactly the physical presence they are looking for in the Bayern defence.

Munich are planning to make changes in defence this summer anyway, with names such as Gleison Bremer and other top international defenders repeatedly being linked with the record champions. In this context, a transfer-free Konaté could become a particularly attractive option.

However, the competition is enormous. In addition to Chelsea, Real Madrid and Paris Saint-Germain are also said to be monitoring the Liverpool star’s situation, meaning that a real transfer poker could develop around the French international.

For Konaté himself, the decisive factor is likely to be which club offers him the best sporting prospects. At Chelsea, Alonso could offer him the prospect of a central role in a new project, while at Bayern he would be fighting for a place in an ambitious team that wants to attack the very top of Europe again.