Liverpool are in the market to bolster their defence this summer after losing Ibrahima Konate, and they have now identified a target.

The Reds saw Konate leave at the end of his contract and join Real Madrid on a free transfer, leaving them with 35-year-old Virgil Van Dijk, injury-prone Joe Gomez and new signing Jeremy Jacquet as the only senior central defenders in the squad.

Now new manager Andoni Iraola has demanded that the board dip into the transfer market to find a replacement for the France international, with a Premier League star emerging as a genuine option.

Liverpool Eye Move for Ezri Konsa

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According to TEAMtalk, Liverpool are eyeing up a blockbuster move to sign Aston Villa star Ezri Konsa.

Konsa, who has been described as ‘one of the best defenders in English football’, has become a regular at Villa in recent seasons and earned himself a regular starting spot for England at the World Cup this summer.

His performances, and his ability to play as both a centre-back or right-back, have caught the attention of the Anfield board, and the club are now eyeing up a big-money move to bring him to Merseyside.

Arsenal have also shown an interest in the former Watford man, but it’s believed that there is a significant gap in valuation between the Gunners and Villa, who want around £60m for the 28-year-old.

Liverpool are assessing a number of potential options, including John Stones, but he has now agreed to join Inter Milan on a two-year-deal, and Konsa is becoming a more viable target as time goes on.

Konsa Perfect for Liverpool

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Konsa has been one of the most consistent and influential defenders in the Premier League in recent years, so it’s no surprise that the top clubs in the division are ready to battle for his signature.

Liverpool know that Van Dijk will be at the club this season, but they also know they need to think about replacing him sooner rather than later too, and Konsa’s experience and quality means he could come in alongside Van Dijk this season, before eventually taking over as the main man in the defence.

£60m isn’t cheap by any definition, but Liverpool have always been willing to pay for quality when it’s the right player, and Konsa could definitely fit into that category.

Arsenal are believed to be pushing on with a deal to sign Vinicius Junior, and one old endorsement from a club legend has taken on fresh relevance amid the growing links.

It wasn’t long ago that a certain Gunners great went on record with a bold verdict on the Brazilian, one that looks more significant than ever given the position Vinicius would be arriving to fill.

Should the move go through, it would rank among the biggest signings in Premier League history, while also handing Mikel Arteta a long-term answer to his search for a new threat on the left flank, after letting go of Leandro Trossard, who kept Gabriel Martinelli out of the side for most of last season.

Thierry Henry Rated Vinicius Junior in Interesting Verdict

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Back in 2024 at the Champions League final, a match in which Vinicius and Real Madrid won 2-0, Thierry Henry was asked by Jamie Carragher whether he considered Vinicius the best player in the world. His answer left little room for doubt:

He did add some nuance, though, pointing to how individual honours can shift depending on international tournaments. “It can change. Because, we all know, people talk about Ballon d’Or all the time, Copa America and the Euros will dictate that. It will not stop because of this game, even if Vinicius scores or Bellingham scores and Real Madrid win, the Euro or the Copa America will have an impact on who gets the Ballon d’Or. But, right now, this guy is ahead for me.”

It was a statement that turned out to be completely true. Vini missed out on that year’s Ballon d’Or to Rodri of Manchester City, who, within weeks of Henry’s comments, turned in a Player of the Tournament performance to help Spain win Euro 2024.

History looks very likely to repeat itself too. Rodri is the man widely believed to be the frontrunner for the Ballon d’Or once more this year, for the exact same reason, after his Golden Ball-winning performances saw him hoist the World Cup for his nation.

Vinicius Jr Already Proven Against Premier League Opposition

A common concern with star names arriving from abroad is how they’ll adapt to the physicality and pace of English football. For Vinicius, the evidence suggests that wouldn’t be a problem at all.

Across 26 appearances against English clubs, the winger has racked up 10 goals and 12 assists, working out to a goal contribution in almost every game.

Given those numbers have come against some of England’s toughest teams, there’s little reason to think he’d struggle for immediate form in the same way many players from overseas do in the Premier League.

Tottenham Hotspur’s top transfer target after they hopefully complete a deal to sign Savinho from Manchester City has been named.

After completely transforming Roberto De Zerbi’s defensive and midfield options before pre-season even got underway, Tottenham chiefs now have a new transfer priority as they look to avoid a repeat of what has happened in the Premier League in the past two seasons.

Spurs have the likes of Dominic Solanke, Richarlison, Mathys Tel and Mohammed Kudus to select from in attack, but De Zerbi has already made it clear in recent days that he wants a couple of ‘important’ attackers to arrive at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium before the September 1 deadline.

It’s been clear for more than a year now that the north London outfit have wanted to land a top-class left-winger, and Savinho has been their top target in the position for more than 12 months.

Tottenham’s stance on the Brazil international hasn’t changed, and they have decided that he is still their top target this summer, having failed to agree a deal with City to bring him to the capital a year ago.

But he isn’t their only attacking target.

O’Keefe: Tottenham’s Top Target After Savinho is Junior Kroupi

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Spurs are continuing talks over a deal to bring Savinho to the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, with one report suggesting that they have already made a bid of £70m for his services.

The suggestion is that City are looking to land a left-winger themselves before they sanction the exit of the 22-year-old, who Pep Guardiola was always so complimentary about before his departure this summer.

Reliable Tottenham source Paul O’Keefe was asked on X on Sunday who Spurs’ absolute number one transfer target is, apart from Savinho, and he replied saying: ‘It’s Junior’.

De Zerbi has shown a preference to bring in players with Premier League experience this summer, and Savinho and Junior Kroupi would be two more examples of that.

Tottenham Face Stiff Competition for Junior Kroupi

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Not only are Bournemouth in no mood to sell Junior Kroupi as they gear up for their first-ever European campaign, but Tottenham will also face stiff competition for the Frenchman’s signature from some of the biggest clubs in Europe.

It remains to be seen how much the Cherries would demand to sell the 20-year-old sensation, with some suggestions that he could have a release clause worth £100m next summer.

That isn’t the only issue facing Spurs though, with Fabrizio Romano revealing on Monday that Barcelona have now opened talks with Junior Kroupi’s representatives and Bournemouth over a potential move.

Romano also says that there is interest from Manchester City too, as interest builds in a young player who was so impressive in his debut Premier League campaign, scoring 13 goals in 33 appearances for the south coast side.

Tottenham have shown, after breaking their transfer record twice this summer, they aren’t afraid to be ambitious and back De Zerbi with the players he wants, and they will need to do it again to have any chance of landing Junior Kroupi.