Ambitious reports in Spain claim Chelsea are planning to make a massive offer for a star Liverpool defender as manager Enzo Maresca looks to bring in a centre-back following the injury to Levi Colwill, and with the player’s stance on potentially leaving Anfield for Stamford Bridge also coming to light.
Liverpool and Chelsea are two of the biggest clubs in England, and both have been very active in the summer transfer window. While Liverpool, who won the Premier League title last season, have made seven major signings, including Florian Wirtz and Jeremie Frimpong, Chelsea have brought in Joao Pedro, Jamie Gittens and Liam Delap among eight new arrivals.
Chelsea are also in talks to sign Xavi Simons from RB Leipzig and Alejandro Garnacho from Manchester United, as the Blues plan to build on their Conference League and 2025 FIFA Club World Cup success to mount a challenge to win the Premier League title this season.
Signing a new centre-back before the close of the summer transfer window was not a priority, but Colwill’s serious knee injury appears to have forced Chelsea into a rethink.
Chelsea manager Maresca has publicly said that replacing Colwill “is a priority”, and it has now been sensationally claimed in the Spanish media that last season’s Conference League winners are planning a raid on Liverpool for Ibrahima Konate.
According to Defensa Central, Chelsea are preparing an offer of €50million (£43.3m, $58.2m) to test Liverpool’s resolve to keep the France international centre-back, who now has just 11 months remaining on his deal.
The Real Madrid-centric news outlet has reported that €50million (£43.3m, $58.2m) is what Liverpool want for Konate, a claim that respected Spanish publication AS made on July 15
The report has noted Madrid’s interest in the 26-year-old, who was described as “world-class” by Aston Villa and England international striker Ollie Watkins on Villa’s YouTube channel in February 2025.
Liverpool have been in talks with Konate over a new deal for months, but there is no agreement in place yet.
Konate has been at Liverpool since 2021 and has won the Premier League, the FA Cup and the EFL Cp (twice) with the Reds.
Liverpool will NOT sell Ibrahima Konate to Chelsea
Defensa Central has noted in the report that Liverpool are ‘refusing’ to let Konate leave for Chelsea this summer.
The Premier League champions are not keen on strengthening Chelsea, who are their direct rivals.
The Blues won the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup this summer and will challenge for the Premier League title in the 2025/26 campaign.
The Spanish news outlet has added that Konate himself is leaning towards a move to Madrid.
While Defensa Central’s report about a potential offer from Chelsea for Konate has to be taken with a pinch of salt, this is not the first time that the Blues have looked at the Frenchman.
TBR journalist Graeme Bailey reported in March that Chelsea had enquired about Konate and made his representatives aware that they hold an interest in signing him.
Konate is one of the first names on the Liverpool teamsheet, and manager Arne Slot would not want to lose him now, especially to Chelsea.
There have also been positive reports in recent weeks regarding Liverpool’s quest to convince Konate to sign a new deal and not leave for Madrid on a free transfer next summer.
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