Chelsea plot shock move for Ibrahima Konate after Liverpool exit decision | OneFootball

Chelsea are considering a shocking move for Liverpool centre-back Ibrahima Konate, who is expected to leave Anfield this summer.

According to French news publication L’Equipe, the Blues are looking to snap up the Frenchman following his shocking departure from Liverpool.

After the blow of missing out on Europe altogether, Chelsea are set to shake up their squad this summer, with the club expected to target at least four new players.

Signing a centre-back is firmly on the club’s to-do list, and Chelsea are now looking to make Konate their new defender without paying a dime in transfer fees.

Whether they can convince Konate to switch Merseyside for West London remains to be seen, but Chelsea aren’t pulling their punches in the race for the Frenchman.

Konate’s Anfield spell appears to be coming to an end after failing to agree a new deal with Liverpool.

His current deal expires next month, meaning he will be free to join another club from July 1.

His exit will bring an end to his five-year spell at Liverpool, where he won the Premier League, FA Cup, League Cup, and the Community Shield.

Bringing in Konate would be a massive coup for Chelsea, considering he has bags of Premier League experience under his belt.

The Blues believe the “outstanding” defender can add leadership and stability to the backline, but they’re not the only club keeping an eye on the Frenchman’s situation.

Chelsea will have to battle other European giants such as Real Madrid and Bayern Munich for Konate’s signature, sparking what could be one of the most competitive transfer sagas of the summer.

The 27-year-old represents an attractive opportunity for European clubs this summer, and the Blues are looking to make him the first signing of the Xabi Alonso era.

The former midfielder is set to lead Chelsea into a new era following a miserable campaign that ended with the Blues sitting 10th in the Premier League table.