🔴 Blood Red: Ibrahima Konate set to LEAVE Liverpool as Yan Diomande battle emerges

Good morning and welcome to Friday’s edition of the Blood Red newsletter, brought to you by me, Stephen Killen.

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We’re just under a week since the Premier League finished. The Liverpool players and management staff are enjoying breaks, but the rumours and speculation don’t stop.

Incomings, outgoings and movement around the Premier League, with the World Cup still to come, this could be the busiest summer in recent years.

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😲 Ibrahima Konate is set to leave Liverpool on a free transfer after failing to reach an agreement over an extension. The 27-year-old has been in talks with the club about a new deal but a common ground could not be found and he is set to walk free (Sky Sports).

🎤 It was only after Liverpool’s dramatic win over Everton at the Hill Dickinson Stadium that the French international revealed it was only a matter of time before he extended. But now, the Reds look set to lose a third experienced player with Konate linked with a number of sides across Europe.

🔃 With Alisson Becker expected to stay at Anfield, Giorgi Mamardashvili has reportedly been made available for loan. Juventus have reportedly pulled out all the stops to convince the Brazilian to leave the Reds but the Georgian has been mooted as an alternative (La Gazzetta dello Sport).

💰 Liverpool are pushing for a quick agreement with Yan Diomande. The 19-year-old remains one of the Reds’ top targets while PSG and Man City monitor the situation, no agreement has been reached and RB Leipzig still want to sign him up with improved terms (Sky Germany).

❌ RB Leipzig are adamant that Diomande is going nowhere. The Ivorian is highly coveted among the European giants but the German club are ready to swat away big-money offers (The Mirror).

👋 Liverpool have reportedly held talks with 16-year-old defensive midfielder Kennet Eichhorn. The Hertha Berlin teenager is said to be liked by elite clubs across Europe including Man City and Bayern Munich (Daily Mail).

✈ Virgil van Dijk and Cody Gakpo have been named in Holland’s squad for the World Cup. However, Liverpool defender Jeremie Frimpong missed out.

Head coach Ronald Koeman explained: “It’s true that he’s been injured quite often this season; against Ecuador, he came on as a substitute but had to come off again very quickly. That’s a physical issue.”

🏧 Barcelona have reached an agreement with Newcastle United over a deal to sign Anthony Gordon, worth around £69million. The England international has agreed personal terms with the La Liga giants but Liverpool didn’t reignite their interest as they are focused on other targets (The Athletic/James Pearce).

🚫 Liverpool have decided not to trigger Jarrell Quansah’s 2026 and 2027 buyback clause this summer, which was set around £67million. Liverpool can re-sign the defender, who has been called up to the Three Lions’ squad for the World Cup, for around £50million (BILD).

❓ Liverpool sporting director Richard Hughes met up with Inter Milan opposite number Piero Ausilio in Monte Carlo to discuss the market with Curtis Jones at the centre of talks. The midfielder has been prioritising Inter for months (Di Marzio/Fabrizio Romano).

✍ Liverpool winger Kieran Morrison has signed a new four-year deal. The 19-year-old netted 15 goals and provided seven assists for the U21s and was shortlisted for the Premier League Two player of the season.

▶ Former Liverpool defender Andy Robertson is closing in on a move to Tottenham Hotspur. The details remain to be finalised on the deal but an agreement is in place in principle (BBC Sport).

🤔 Andoni Iraola is interested in taking the Liverpool job as the prospect of a move to Crystal Palace and AC Milan stalls (Sky Sports).

🤩 Liverpool are known admirers of Crystal Palace star Adam Wharton. The England international starred in their Europa Conference League win and has done his stock little damage with Manchester United also interested. However, Palace are in a strong position to retain his services for at least one more season with the club open to offering an improved deal (BBC Sport).

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Edition number: 46

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