Ibrahima Konate responds to PSG speculation

Ibrahima Konate has laughed off a question about whether he would sign for Paris Saint-Germain.

The 24-year-old centre back is now in his third season at Liverpool and has made 61 appearances in all competitions to date, as well as winning both the FA Cup and Carabao Cup.

Though widely recognised as the Reds’ best option to partner captain Virgil van Dijk, Konate’s injury record means he has never played more than 18 times in a Premier League campaign. This season a hamstring issue has seen him miss game time, while he competes with Joel Matip and Joe Gomez for a starting lineup spot.

Currently on international duty with France for the October international break, Paris-born Konate was asked by a journalist if his many international teammates who play for PSG had been ‘lobbying’ for him to move back to the French capital.

“I’m not going to answer about what they do! But no, it’s true that I’m a Parisian, but I’m at Liverpool,” Konate said diplomatically, as quoted by RMC.

The journalist’s question seems to have been light-hearted, while Konate has not been seriously linked with a move away from Anfield.

Konate and France will face the Netherlands on Friday in their Euro 2024 qualification campaign, with the centre back set to face off against club teammate Van Dijk.

The former RB Leipzig star also spoke recently about his Liverpool captain. Konate spoke fondly of Van Dijk but insisted that his plan is to surpass the Dutchman’s impressive career achievements – naming a former Real Madrid star as his role model.

He said: “There are very few defenders who have managed to have as good a career as him. I learn a lot alongside him. My goal, and he knows it, is to have a better career than him.

“My number one has long been Sergio Ramos.”

In addition to facing up against Van Dijk this month, Konate’s France also face Andy Robertson’s Scotland in a friendly in Villeneuve-d’Ascq next Tuesday.