Liverpool aiming to beat Chelsea to £34m defender

Liverpool are reportedly in advanced negotiations with RB Leipzig for the services of Ibrahima Konate.

Konate has struggled with injuries over the past two years, but he is still rated highly by some of Europe's elite clubs.

According to The Athletic, the Reds have stepped up their pursuit of Konate and they are prepared to seal a deal in advance.

The Frenchman has a release clause worth £34m in his contract which the Merseyside outfit are willing to trigger.

Meanwhile, a separate report from L'Equipe has also confirmed the Reds' concrete in the former Sochaux graduate.

However, it is mentioned that Chelsea are also interested in the 21-year-old centre-back and are very much in the race to sign him.

Liverpool are likely to have the advantage in the player's pursuit due to their close working relationship with Leipzig.

They previously signed Naby Keita from the Bundesliga outfit in 2018. They agreed to sign the midfielder 12 months in advance.