The future owner of Paris FC, Antoine Arnault, has revealed that he is interested in a potential to move for Liverpool’s Ibrahima Konate, who came through the club’s academy.
Arnault is the representative of Agache, the giant French holding company owned by the country’s richest family that is close to completing the purchase of Paris FC. Red Bull is also expected to take a minority stake in the second-tier club, which has been tipped to challenge the established French elite in the coming years.
In an extensive interview with RMC Sports this week, Arnault was questioned about a possible move for Konate further down the line.
“The idea is to train young people, so if a former member trained in the club wants to come and structure the club, why not,” he said.
“It’s a possibility, but not the core strategy of the group.”
Paris-born Konate spent five years at the capital club before moving to Sochaux’s youth set-up shortly after his 15th birthday. The very tall central, which has established itself as one of the best defenders in the Premier League this season, he spent four years at RB Leipzig before moving to Liverpool in 2021.
Jurgen Klopp was in charge of the Reds when Konate arrived on Merseyside and he has controversially named as global advisor to all Red Bull clubs, an umbrella under which Paris FC will soon fall.
This isn’t the first time Konate has been linked with a return to his hometown. The 25-year-old remained open to a move at Paris Saint-Germain when asked about the subject last year, however gave a firmer negative answer during the summer
Liverpool will be reluctant to let Konate go as he enjoys the best form of his career on Merseyside. Since replacing Jarell Quansah at half-time on the opening weekend of the season, the France international has started every Premier League party under Arne Slot. Konate captained his nation during this month’s international break and has been a key factor behind Liverpool’s run to the summit of the Premier League.
