Liverpool transfer Q&A: YOUR questions answered - Ibrahima Konate contract latest, is a Marc Guehi move on the cards and just how likely is a swoop for Alexander Isak?

Virgil van Dijk promised a big summer at Liverpool but, really, that was wrong – it is a ginormous summer… and we are only just getting started.

A club-record fee paid for Florian Wirtz, a shrewd upgrade of the full back area with Jeremie Frimpong and Milos Kerkez, plus a pursuit of a No 9 and centre back to follow.

And don’t forget it will be a busy summer in terms of outgoings, too, with Darwin Nunez likely to leave and the futures of Harvey Elliott, Federico Chiesa and Andy Robertson up in the air to name just three.

So let’s get straight into it and answer 10 of your best questions about the Premier League champions’ transfer business…

Has Ibrahima Konate stalled on contract talks? And do you see him extending?

I don’t think it is fresh news that Konate’s contract is an issue that is leaving Liverpool in a tricky position. But at this stage, there are no huge concerns at the club’s end.

Talks began in late 2024 and reports at the time saying a deal was close were puzzling as no significant progress has been made yet. It is clear that the two parties’ desires are slightly misaligned but that does not mean an agreement will not be found.

Real Madrid’s interest is real, though, and Paris Saint-Germain have also been mooted — but remember the Bournemouth defensive pair Dean Huijsen and Ilya Zabarnyi are heading to those clubs.

A lot will rest on whether Konate wants to stay or not — and that is not really clear at this stage. Talking to him in the mixed zone last month, the Frenchman spoke about his love for Liverpool which gave some confidence that he is keen to extend.

But this is an issue that won’t go away just yet. Let’s wait and see what the next few months bring.

I get the feeling it's more on Alexander Isak as to whether we go for Hugo Ekitike. If he doesn't sign this season, could he give his word and join next season and Liverpool abstain from signing a forward this season in your opinion?

What I was told last week was: if Isak could move to Liverpool, he would. Easier said than, done, of course…

So, is Isak to Liverpool probable? No. But is it possible? Yes.

It is not one to completely rule out just yet but there is a strong feeling in the industry that the next month of the window will be more about balancing the books with sales. Without them, there is no chance they could afford a mega-money striker.

Newcastle are quoting £200million as a fee and, to be honest, that is far too much for a 25-year-old. But the fact they are talking money must mean they are slightly worried… and his long-term future in terms of a new contract remains uncertain at St James’ Park.

Ekitike is certainly one they like but nothing is advanced for the Eintracht Frankfurt forward at the moment. The likes of Benjamin Sesko and Viktor Gyokeres are on the move but I don’t think either fit the bill for Liverpool right now.

As to the second part of your question, it is an interesting theory. Being brutally honest, I don’t think either of Liverpool’s No 9s, Darwin Nunez or Diogo Jota, are good enough. So next summer could be a big one, too.

But I know one thing Liverpool’s hierarchy have discussed is the fact that there is not a great market for complete No 9s – hence why I wrote the other day that they have considered signing a versatile forward rather than shopping for a mythical player that is not available.

Do you think Ben Doak fits the bill of a versatile young sixth choice forward that has been spoken about, or is his future gonna be one revolving around who pays the most?

I love watching Doak. Direct, fast, fearless. Maybe he needs to improve his end product but he is 19 and, likewise, there are worries about his injury record.

There are three options for Liverpool now: loan him out to the Championship or bottom-half Premier League again where he will – all being well with fitness – play 35 or so games in a competitive league; sell him to generate funds; have him as sixth-choice forward.

Personally I would loan him out unless a huge bid comes in, with a buyback clause.

Everton, Crystal Palace and Bournemouth have kept tabs on him – but neither have been willing to cough up the £25million-plus fee Liverpool are after.

What are realistic plans for Rio Ngumoha, Trey Nyoni and James McConnell this season?

Good question.

From what I have heard, Arne Slot is a huge fan of McConnell. He has told him as much and, in a meeting in early 2025, McConnell was told he could be on par with Wataru Endo in terms of squad role in the next year.

Saying that, though, maybe a loan is best for him in this coming season – and there is a long list of clubs monitoring his situation despite a recent injury. I think he will get a chance to impress in pre-season, though.

As for Ngumoha and Nyoni, they will hope to continue training with the first team while playing regularly for the Under 21s and in the UEFA Youth League. Slot likes them both, though, clearly – so maybe some minutes in the cup competitions.

Have you heard of any interest in Malick Fofana? Could he be a realistic target for this window?

It’s a name that is sent to me every day by fans.

I think he is on the radar but nothing more than that yet. Could change, of course!

How fast do you think Liverpool will move on the centre back?

With Jarell Quansah’s move to Leverkusen all but complete, I think this one could move on in the next week or so.

Liverpool’s main desire, as reported last week, is a young prospect who can eventually grow into a Virgil van Dijk replacement.

I mentioned Jorrel Hato at Ajax as one they like and that is certainly the case, after they missed out on teenagers Lenny Yoro and Dean Huijsen in the last two summer windows.

As well as this desire for a youthful face, they will keep abreast of market opportunities, which brings us on to our next question…

Do you think Liverpool will move for Marc Guehi and also what do you think the future holds for Stefan Bajcetic?

Guehi represents an opportunity for Liverpool. He is still young, he has ample Premier League experience and he would be good for the homegrown quota.

A lot of their pursuit of the Crystal Palace captain rests on the price the FA Cup winners demand. There is talk that Liverpool would try to lowball them at £30million, whereas Palace would demand around £50m.

So maybe, realistically and reading between the lines, £40m could be the sort of figure that could see a handshake.

Easier said than done, of course, but these things are true: Liverpool like Guehi, Guehi likes the idea of playing for Liverpool, Guehi will almost certainly leave Selhurst Park this summer.

If the interest turns serious, then this one could definitely happen.

As for Bajcetic, there is interest in him from around Europe. The last time I checked, Liverpool were keen to have a look at him in pre-season and make a decision from there.

But I do think there is a first-team squad place available for a deeper-lying midfielder and Bajcetic could be the one to fill that role.

After all, Liverpool may not have the luck they had this year with injuries in that department, Ryan Gravenberch and Alexis Mac Allister barely missing a game.

What’s the latest on Andy Robertson?

Atletico Madrid remain confident of tempting him to join but the latest is pretty much the same as this time last week. Robertson has not made up his mind yet.

The Scotland captain is enjoying a short break at the moment and has lots to ponder. Maybe by the end of the week we will have more clarity.

And if Robertson leaves, will Kostas Tsimikas stay? What about young left backs Owen Beck and Luke Chambers?

I think he has to, unless they press forward with their interest in Hato, who can play at centre back or left back.

Beck has lots of clubs interested in him, including Wrexham, Sheffield United, Rangers, Celtic and plenty more in the Premier League and Championship. Due to the amount of clubs to post their keenness, Liverpool are in no rush to sanction a move – on loan or permanent.

Chambers nearly moved to Hull in January, actually, but returned to Wigan where he did well. Conor Bradley and Jarell Quansah, of course, have stepped up from League One loans to the first team, so there’s no ruling out that happening.

But another loan seems to be the best bet for Chambers, who had an injury-hit season.

How many more players do you expect Liverpool to target to bring in?

I said in about March that I was expecting four or five first-team signings this summer. I remember that was slightly ridiculed at the time!

But I’ll stick with that. Three are in the door and I’d imagine they will now go for two more, a centre back and a forward.

Anything else depends on outgoings and, with more than £200million spent (counting Giorgi Mamardashvili in this calculation), they may have to be careful with profit and sustainability concerns.

Obviously, aside from those positions mentioned, Liverpool are always on top of academy recruitment and market opportunities for young stars. So let’s keep our eyes peeled for those sorts of buys…