Liverpool can't miss deal for PERFECT Ibrahima Konate replacement | OneFootball

Even though French defender Ibrahima Konate is a player surrounded by uncertainty at Liverpool, his efforts on the pitch don't suggest that he's really that interested in forcing a transfer move.

Of course, he doesn't have to leave in January, since his contract expires at the end of the season, and the lack of movement on a new deal puts the club in a tricky position, regardless of whether his behaviour has been good or not. As such, identifying replacements is an essential ongoing task.

After all of this speculation and drama, it's not out of the realms of possibility that Konate could stay, in which case the Reds' transfer research might have been a waste of time. But when you generally look at the state of the defence right now, it's hard not to feel as though Arne Slot needs a defender.

In which case, Liverpool's due-diligence is a good use of time, and if we can arrange for a like-for-like defender to replace or sit alongside Konate, then the squad will get a significant boost either way.

Opportunity knocks for Jeremy Jacquet

In spite of the 20-year-old centre-back having penned a new deal recently, which now spans until 2029, it's being reported by The Athletic that Arsenal and Chelsea are hedging their bets to sign him.

Jeremy Jacquet has been a revelation for Rennes over the past two seasons, playing regular minutes in Ligue 1 and delivering extremely high quality performances when he's given the chance.

He plays quite confidently on the half-way line as a centre-back, getting on the ball constantly and drilling in long-balls for the forwards to run on to. Per Sofascore, he's averaging 4.2 ball recoveries, 4.9 clearances and 4.4 duels won per 90 in his domestic league. Those are impressive figures.

The Frenchman is still really young and so it's only natural that he's making mistakes at times. In the 15 starts he's been given this season, he's made two errors leading to a shot, one leading to a goal and he's committed a penalty. Furthermore, in his last appearance he got sent off against PSG.

But it shouldn't be in doubt how talented Jacquet is and he's on Liverpool's radar among others.

In the report, it is said that Arsenal are 'continuing to follow' him, although his new contract might mean that a 'considerable fee' is required. Elsewhere, it's said that Chelsea are 'monitoring' him.

For the Reds, the centre-back is 'the most obvious' spot for transfer movement, and while Jacquet is not mentioned in this specific piece, the club is said to be 'assessing "market opportunities", with several young players on their radar', and it's here where it's possible to envisage a move for him.

After all, Liverpool are currently set to lose a French defender, and a new one could arrive as his replacement, or just someone to bolster the defence in a more general sense. After all, if clubs like Arsenal and Chelsea are snooping around, it may still be possible to convince him to join the Reds.

It's not likely that he'd entertain the possibility, but if on the off chance he were to, Liverpool cannot afford to let the move slip through their grasps, with Jacquet joining a Premier League rival instead.