Iraola shortlists four defenders to fill Konate void

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The Football Faithful

·9 June 2026

Iraola shortlists four defenders to fill Konate void

Andoni Iraola has moved quickly at Liverpool, drawing up a four-man centre-back shortlist to replace the departing Ibrahima Konaté, according to CaughtOffside.

Konaté leaves Anfield as a free agent this summer, his five-year stay ending after the club could not agree fresh terms.

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He departs having made 183 appearances and won five trophies, including the 2024-25 Premier League title.

Replacing that physical presence is now one of sporting director Richard Hughes’ biggest tasks. he standout name is Gonçalo Inácio.

The Sporting centre-back has been admired on Merseyside for some time, and his profile fits Iraola’s approach almost perfectly.

Andoni Iraola eyes four defenders to fill Konate void

The Spaniard wants defenders who can carry the ball and start attacks, and the left-footed Inácio offers exactly that.

His left side also brings balance alongside Virgil van Dijk, whose own long-term future is a growing question.

There is competition, though. Manchester United and Chelsea have both tracked the 24-year-old, who starred as Sporting conceded the second-fewest goals in Portugal last season.

His price is the catch. Reports point to a release clause in the region of £52m, with Sporting rarely shy about driving a hard bargain, and a contract until 2030 strengthens their hand.

Iraola’s list does not stop there. Nottingham Forest’s Murillo offers a Premier League-ready alternative, while Tottenham’s Luka Vuskovic impressed on loan at Hamburg last term.

Napoli’s Sam Beukema completes the four, although he reads more as a squad option than the leading target.

Liverpool are not short of bodies at the back. Joe Gomez remains, Giovanni Leoni is recovering from injury, and Jérémy Jacquet arrives this summer to take Konaté’s number.

Even so, Iraola wants a proven operator entering his prime. On current evidence, Inácio is the man he would choose first.