Manchester United open talks with RB Leipzig defender Ibrahima Konate

Manchester United are in talks with the representative of RB Leipzig star Ibrahima Konate over a summer move, according to Le10Sport (h/t Daily Mail).

The 20-year-old came through the youth ranks at French club FC Sochaux and joined RB Leipzig in 2017. He has featured 71 times so far for the German outfit, scoring three goals and assisting one.

Konate was one of Leipzig’s top performers last season, helping them concede just 29 league goals, which was the best defensive record in Bundesliga.

Konate has hardly featured in 2019/20 because of an injury that has kept him on the sidelines for most of the season. In spite of this, Manchester United have started talks with the Frenchman’s representative.

Manchester United’s defensive form has seen a major improvement over the course of the season.

Harry Maguire and Victor Lindelof have been preferred as the first-choice centre-back pairing by Ole Gunnar Solskjaer. Eric Bailly and Axel Tuanzebe are more than capable backups available at Solskjaer’s disposal.

However, Phil Jones faces an uncertain future at the club. Hence, adding more depth and quality to central defence would benefit the club.

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In that regard, Konate would be a smart addition. The Frenchman has impressed in the Bundesliga and has accrued plenty of experience too already. At 20, he will be a long-term option to our defence as well.

Konate is contracted with Leipzig until 2023. Talks between United and his agent are ongoing. It will be interesting to see if the club are able to close the deal.