Liverpool considering surprise replacement for Ibrahima Konate after contract talks collapse

Liverpool are reportedly considering a shock replacement for Ibrahima Konate after failing to agree terms on a new contract for the France centre-back.

Konate is set to leave Liverpool as a free agent at the end of June, concluding a five-year spell at Anfield.

The 27-year-old was heavily linked with Real Madrid during the last transfer window but has since come in for criticism from Liverpool fans over his performances this season.

The Reds acted in January to complete the £55 million transfer of Rennes centre-back Jeremy Jacquet, who has missed much of the season since due to a shoulder injury.

But they will now need to sign another centre-back following Konate's departure, even though Italy youth international Giovanni Leoni is said to be on course to return from an anterior cruciate ligament injury in time for the start of pre-season.

READ MORE: Liverpool rocked as contract talks with first-team regular break down

And a surprise candidate has been discussed internally to fill the void.

Liverpool identify possible Konate replacement

That's according to TEAMtalk, who claim that Liverpool have held talks over bringing academy graduate Jarell Quansah back to the club from Bayer Leverkusen.

The 23-year-old barely played for manager Arne Slot during the Dutchman's first season in charge at Anfield, but his £35 million exit was still something of a surprise last summer - compounded by the fact that Liverpool simply didn't replace him.

Quansah has impressed in Germany and will go to the World Cup with England after being named in Thomas Tuchel's final 26-man squad.

Quansah has had an impressive first season with Bayer Leverkusen (Image: Getty)

It is claimed that the Reds still have 'huge admiration' for Quansah's 'long-term potential' and, according to sources, the club are still monitoring his development 'closely' despite no longer being a Liverpool player.

The centre-back has made 44 appearances in all competitions for Leverkusen this season, scoring five goals.

The German side will not play in the Champions League next season after finishing sixth in the Bundesliga, and will compete in the Europa League instead.

Do Liverpool have a buy-back clause for Quansah?

It has become increasingly commonplace for big clubs to include a buy-back clause when selling one of their younger players.

That is the case for Quansah - but it is slightly more complicated than you might expect.

It has been claimed that Liverpool can buy the centre-back from Leverkusen for around £70 million this summer, but that the figure would then drop to around £50m from the summer of 2027.

But given Liverpool's lack of centre-back options, it may be considered better for the club to pay extra to bring Quansah back to Anfield a year early.

Quansah told Sky Sports News last month that he 'wouldn't say it was the hardest decision' to leave Liverpool because of his lack of playing time under Slot.

"I just wanted to play," he said.

"I felt like I could play at the top level, the Bundesliga's a top league, and being able to play in the Champions League and play top games ... when the Leverkusen guys came in and I saw everything that they wanted, I think, from that moment, I knew it was the right decision."