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Manchester United might have ditched plans to signal Dayot Upamecano this coming summer time, however they haven’t regarded too far to discover a potential different.
The RB Leipzig centre-back’s associate Ibrahima Konate is now being considered by Crimson Devils chiefs as one in all their most important summer time switch targets to fit into the defence alongside captain Harry Maguire.
Already he has been labelled as a possible world class participant by former coaches and with Liverpool and Chelsea additionally displaying an curiosity, Sportsmail appears at what the France Below 21 worldwide has to supply.
Manchester United have turned their attentions to RB Leipzig defender Ibrahima Konate
WHO IS HE?
Fairly probably, Konate could also be the true star of RB Leipzig’s centre again duo the place he options alongside the additionally highly-rated Upamecano.
Konate grew up taking part in on the streets of Paris alongside together with his six brothers earlier than he earned a transfer 300 miles away to Sochaux from Paris FC (no, not the Parc des Princes outfit) when he was simply 15.
There, he bided his time as a young person in and across the reserve aspect earlier than being thrown into the deep finish through the 2016-17 season.
In contrast to many different positions on a soccer pitch, it is extremely tough to interrupt onto the scene at centre again as a young person because of the calls for of needing power and expertise – with neither totally developed at 17-years-old.
The 21-year-old began his senior profession whereas taking part in for Sochaux (left) in 2017
But Konate was simply this age when he made his senior debut for Sochaux 4 years in the past this month within the second tier of France, and although they misplaced 1-0 he rapidly made an impression over the remainder of the marketing campaign.
Instantly, he was a part of the first-team and simply 11 additional appearances and a aim later he was off to Leipzig in a five-year-deal that summer time.
Since then he has been an integral a part of the primary workforce, favoured on the best aspect of defence when accessible and has already performed 86 occasions throughout all competitions, netting on 4 events.
Konate performed in each matches in opposition to Manchester United this season within the Champions League the place regardless of scoring an personal aim in a 3-2 win and being a part of a aspect hammered 5-0 at Outdated Trafford, he nonetheless impressed the Crimson Devils.
He has already featured in opposition to Manchester United within the Champions League this season
He has a weird (however perhaps apt – see weaknesses part) nickname amongst his team-mates, who name him ‘Ibuprofen’ after the painkiller, with the origins coming from his mom who merely calls him ‘Ibu’.
WHAT ARE HIS STRENGTHS?
There is a intelligent soccer mind within the 21-year-old and his capability to stifle assaults with interceptions is a trait most managers would love.
Along with his sport largely based mostly round this, it will not be too alarming to see his deal with fee barely low however this is able to be anticipated – you need not put in a deal with you probably have already gained the ball.
At 6’4″ he’s efficient within the air, once more the place he can intercept the ball. Along with this, he seems to be alert to the prospect of successful a ensuing free ball.
Over the 2018-19 marketing campaign, he was statistically the higher defender to Upamecano, main him in photographs blocked, duels gained and interceptions.
Being comfy in possession too permits him to assist begin counter assaults – whether or not it’s discovering a free move in midfield or driving ahead in possession.
Whereas these abilities will not be on par with Andrea Pirlo’s fashion of passing or Lionel Messi-esque dribbling, it’s a very robust stage for a centre again and an asset to Leipzig.
Konate’s strengths embody aerial duels as he heads clear in entrance of Anthony Martial in October
ARE THERE ANY WEAKNESSES TO BE WARY OF?
At 21, there are going to be areas of his sport that want engaged on, and his choice making in defence can hinder him particularly in opposition to elite forwards inside the sport.
Though his studying of the opposition sport boosts his defensive talents, his personal positional features can land him in hassle and this may turn into an issue at set-pieces, the place no quantity of peak benefit might help you when within the flawed place on the flawed time.
Communication with team-mates maybe additionally wants enhancing to assist this however the excellent news is this may all doubtless be ironed out of his sport when expertise begins to take maintain.
What expertise can’t assist with although is masking his already very-concerning damage report. Final season, he featured simply eight occasions for Leipzig after tearing a muscle in October.
Konate was a part of a defence that shipped seven targets in opposition to Man United in two video games
He barely featured once more for the remainder of the season, even when the Bundesliga resumed final Could following the outbreak of Covid-19.
It wasn’t till the final day of the marketing campaign that he accomplished 90 minutes.
One damage might be forgiven however he missed the primary three video games of the season with a hip concern, which additionally saved him out of August’s Champions League quarter-final and semi-final.
He hasn’t performed for the reason that center of December, having solely simply recovered from an ankle damage.
WHAT IS HIS INTERNATIONAL PEDIGREE?
Born in Paris, he has been incomes junior caps with France at a number of ranges earlier than making his debut for the Below-21s in 2019.
Since then, he has gone on to signify his nation 10 extra occasions at that stage though he has not but been capped at senior stage.
This although shouldn’t be a priority because the world champions have a humiliation of riches at centre again, so competitors for locations goes to be fierce.
The popular beginning mixture of Raphael Varane and Upamecano is already a difficult duo to displace, however French boss Didier Deschamps additionally has PSG’s Presnel Kimpembe, Chelsea’s Kurt Zouma and Barcelona’s Clement Lenglet to name upon.
Konate is just not even assured a begin at Below-21 stage, together with his final look again in November coming in its place having been omitted in favour of one other Manchester United switch goal, Jules Kounde, and Benoit Badiashile.
This ready queue for French caps although mustn’t delay suitors. If he was English there could be a superb likelihood he would already be in Gareth Southgate’s defence alongside Harry Maguire – precisely what Crimson Devils boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer most likely has in thoughts.
Konate (L) has been capped at many junior ranges throughout his worldwide profession with France
The Below-21 centre again is but to make his breakthrough into the senior aspect although
WHAT HAS BEEN SAID ABOUT HIM?
In his personal phrases, Konate seems to benefit from the problem of taking part in within the Bundesliga, insisting he has realized a lot and that he enjoys the bodily and athletic calls for of the division.
Konate stated: ‘I’ve developed nicely and I benefit from the fashion of play you encounter within the Bundesliga each week: it is attack-minded with a number of tempo and keenness.’
However you do not simply need to hearken to him. Former Leipzig boss Ralf Rangnick, who signed him for the membership, believes he’s destined for the highest.
‘We bought him on a free switch from Sochaux’, Rangnick stated in 2019.
‘We’re satisfied he’ll cowl additional essential improvement steps within the coming months and years together with his potential.’
‘He’s so good that he might play for Actual Madrid or Barcelona sooner or later.’
Bayern Munich striker Robert Lewandowski has loved success taking part in in opposition to Konate in recent times, however freely admits that the defender remains to be a expertise to be careful for.
The Polish striker stated: ‘Leipzig have two actually good centre-backs in Dayot Upamecano and Ibrahima Konate.’
Ralf Rangnick signed Konate for RB Leipzig and has tipped him to turn into world class
Bayern Munich striker Robert Lewandowski has additionally praised his capability as an opponent
SHOULD MANCHESTER UNITED SIGN HIM?
His approximate worth is round £37million, which places him in the identical switch bracket at his team-mate Upamecano because of the France worldwide’s launch clause.
Upamecano is only a 12 months older, would not have severe accidents on his report and will successfully be bought on the similar value – arguably cheaper.
But, when a participant that good is obtainable so low cost, it will not be simply United hoping to signal Upamecano and we solely need to see in the previous few seasons that the lure of the Crimson Devils is just not fairly the identical sky excessive attraction it was below the Sir Alex Ferguson years.
So, whereas Europe’s high canine might attempt to trump one another by providing Upamecano substantial private phrases, United could possibly be on to a winner in signing his defensive associate as an alternative.
He has proven he’s simply as succesful and proficient as Upamecano and within the phrases of former coaches, he might nonetheless turn into world class anyway.
However they may even need to battle rivals for his signature too because the numbers sport will dictate there can be sad events at probably shedding out on Upamecano and a brand new goal could be wanted.
Konate’s stats will not be drastically in need of his RB Leipzig team-mate Upamecano, by way of Sofascore
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has been weighing up choices to bolster his Manchester United defence
One main sticking level although can be RB Leipzig’s say within the vacation spot of the defender. If Upamecano does transfer on in the summertime, supervisor Julian Nagelsmann is hardly going to be content material to see his different key defender bought as nicely.
Konate solely agreed an improved deal at Leipzig simply over two years in the past and nonetheless has a contract to run till 2023 – guaranteeing the membership will not be below strain to promote.
Given his damage report and availability within the like of Upamecano’s potential sale, United might discover they’ve extra environment friendly and fewer dangerous choices to pursue, however might they remorse turning down a transfer for a participant who has proven world-class potential? Time will inform.
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