LIVERPOOL are reportedly on the brink of signing RB Leipzig ace Ibrahima Konate after agreeing personal terms with the defender.

Reds boss Jurgen Klopp has been scouring the market for defensive reinforcements following the injury crisis that ravaged his side this season.

Konate is said to have caught the eye of the German following a string of impressive performances for Leipzig.

And Italian journalist Fabricio Romano has claimed the Merseysiders have already hashed out a five-year deal with the 21-year-old, telling talkSPORT: “It is really, really close. it is just a matter of time.

“The agreement with the player is done. They want to sign the player. It is just a case of the clubs negotiating.

“The player wants to go. It is a five-year contract. In some weeks, it will be complete.”

Defending Premier League champions Liverpool are said to be willing to meet Konate's £30million release clause.

Liverpool's reported agreement with Konate comes a little over a week after Leipzig CEO Oliver Mintzlaff insisted he wasn't worried about the prospect of the France Under-21 international leaving the club.

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He told Bild: “No, not at all. In the past we have had changes on the coach, director and player side time and again.

“And we have come back stronger every year and have been able to develop further.

"And I am also sure that we will take the next step again.

“We remain ambitious and do not act under pressure here, but self-determined.”

Konate has refused to allow the speculation over his future at the Red Bull Arena to get to him, saying: “There are often rumours in football and many believe them immediately.

“I or my agents didn’t get a call from Liverpool. I also have big goals with RB Leipzig.

"These are currently the best possible results in the Bundesliga, reaching the cup final and the U21 European Championship with France.

“I don’t want to be Dayot (Upamecano)’s successor. I’m me. We both came to Leipzig in 2017 and played well together here.

“Unfortunately, our paths are now parting. I’ll give Dayot the new job (at Bayern Munich) and continue doing my thing here. I have a contract until 2023. And contracts are there to fulfil.”

Konate and his Leipzig team-mates will be back in action on Saturday afternoon, travelling to the Westfalenstadion to take on Borussia Dortmund.

Liverpool, meanwhile, will welcome Southampton to Anfield on Saturday night.

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