Don Hutchison says Liverpool could be about to make a big mistake as Fabrizio Romano drops key update
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Liverpool should put an end to Ibrahima Konate’s new contract talks and bring Jarell Quansah back, says Don Hutchison.The Reds are reportedly advancing on discussions to tie Konate down to an extension, potentially securing their centre-back options for next season.However, according to former Liverpool midfielder Hutchison, they may be better off letting the Frenchman leave and triggering their buy-back clause on Quansah. How would you rate Andy Robertson’s trophy-laden Liverpool career?
The curtain is finally coming down for Robbo at Anfield 🥲 Photo Credit: Getty Images/Sebastian Frej Hutchison wants Quansah over KonateAfter a season of uncertainty, it now looks more than likely that Konate will stay at Liverpool on a brand new contract.Journalist Fabrizio Romano relayed that news with a post on X on Thursday in which he declared: “Liverpool are now closer to reaching full agreement with Ibrahima Konate over new contract.“Negotiations are advancing well after Real Madrid talks stopped in November, with Liverpool now progressing. Not done/sealed yet but LFC confident.”After Konate’s mixed form this season, not every Liverpool fan will see this as good news, and Hutchison responded to urge his former club into cancelling talks and turning to Quansah instead.Photo by INA FASSBENDER / AFP via Getty ImagesREAD MORE: Arne Slot suggests how long Alexander Isak will play for Liverpool against Fulham after ‘really nice’ news“I’d be tempted to let [Konate] go and bring Quansah back,” the pundit replied.
Liverpool reportedly hold a £69.7m buy-back clause on their former academy graduate, but with talks to re-sign Konate at full steam ahead, it seems that the Reds have no plans to take Quansah back.Analysis: Quansah could replace Van Dijk in 2027It appears likely that Liverpool had always planned on renewing Konate’s contract if at all possible.The 26-year-old has been a key player for the Reds over the past two seasons in particular, and, in theory, should have his best years still to come. Who should Richard Hughes be targeting above all… Photo Credit: Getty Images/Robin Jones With Konate joining Virgil van Dijk, Jeremy Jacquet, Giovanni Leoni and Joe Gomez, Arne Slot looks to have his centre-back options sorted for 2026/27.While there is no room for Quansah there, that could change in 2027, when Van Dijk is out of contract.There have previously been claims that Liverpool’s buy-back on Quansah does not become active until next year anyway, and it would make a lot of sense if they turn to the 23-year-old if the captain departs.Gomez is likely to leave by 2027 as well, meaning Konate, Jacquet, Leoni and Quansah could be Liverpool’s long-term plan to replace Van Dijk once and for all.