Liverpool sign RB Leipzig’s Konaté - Most expensive Bundesliga defender including add-ons

RB Leipzig are losing their next defensive key player after Dayot Upamecano. Ibrahima Konaté is joining Liverpool, where he will receive a contract running until 2026. The Reds have triggered a release clause in the deal of the 22-year-old defender, which amounted to €40 million. According to Kicker, the fee could rise to €46 million due to bonus payments.

Just half of the add-ons being paid would be enough to replace his former teammate Upamecano, who is joining Bayern Munich for €42.5 million this summer, at the top of the ranking of the most expensive Bundesliga defenders. Internationally, Konaté could become one of the 20 most expensive defenders in history.

For Leipzig, who signed Konaté on a free transfer from FC Sochaux in 2017, the centre-back made 95 appearances across all competitions, in which he scored four goals. In the past season, however, he only played 21 matches due to injury.