It was supposed to be a quiet week for Liverpool, but inside Anfield, the talk has already started about what could become one of the biggest transfer chain reactions in Europe. Arne Slot sat in his office with reports spread across his desk, the same reports that had been circulating around top European clubs, linking names like Dayot Upamecano, Ibrahima Konate, and Marc Guehi together in a transfer triangle that could shake the market in January. Liverpool are not waiting for surprises anymore. They are ready to move quickly if the signs around Konate’s contract continue to look worrying.
For months now, Liverpool fans have been asking one question: why has Konate not signed his new deal? The French defender has been part of Liverpool’s heart since he arrived from RB Leipzig in 2021. He has grown under Klopp, played big games, and celebrated trophies, but now, with his contract running out next June, the silence around his renewal is beginning to sound like danger. The talks have been going on for almost a year. Words, meetings, offers, everything has been done, but nothing has been signed.
Inside Liverpool, the mood is shifting. The club loves Konate, but they can’t risk losing him for free. That’s why their scouting team has been working silently on plans B and C. And one of the top names on that list is Dayot Upamecano. The Bayern Munich colossus, powerful, fast, aggressive — everything Liverpool defenders are known for — is now being looked at as a possible replacement if Konate decides to leave.
The main target still remains Marc Guehi from Crystal Palace. Liverpool were very close to signing him on the final day of the transfer window, but the deal collapsed in the last moments. Palace didn’t want to lose their captain then, but everyone knows Guehi’s contract is running down too. Next summer, he could leave for free, and that’s when Liverpool wanted to strike again. But football doesn’t wait. Bayern Munich have already made their move. They have spoken with Guehi’s representatives and they see him as a possible replacement for Upamecano, whose own future at Bayern is now in question.
It’s like a circle that never ends. Liverpool want Guehi if Konate leaves. Bayern want Guehi if Upamecano leaves. Real Madrid want Konate if they can’t get Upamecano. The same names, the same agents, the same clubs circling each other in a transfer storm. And according to reports, it all depends on who moves first.
If Konate accepts Madrid’s offer, Liverpool will immediately move for Upamecano. If Upamecano refuses to sign a new deal at Bayern, they will move quickly for Guehi. It’s a chain reaction that could happen as early as January. For Slot, this is not just a football decision — it’s about trust, planning, and power. The Dutchman knows he needs a strong defense to win in England, especially with Virgil van Dijk now heading toward the twilight of his career.
Dean Jones, one of the respected voices in English football, told TeamTalk that Liverpool are ready to move fast if Bayern can’t agree on a new contract with Upamecano. “If there is no agreement by the new year, Liverpool will show formal interest,” he said. “They would need to move quickly because they are not the only club looking. Real Madrid also have half an eye on him.”
It’s a delicate situation. Three European giants, one common problem — all needing a world-class defender for next season. For Liverpool, the priority is simple: do not get caught off guard. The club has been praised in recent years for being smart in the market, for planning ahead. But this time, the stakes are higher. Losing Konate without a ready replacement would be a disaster.
Inside the corridors of Anfield, the talk about Konate’s attitude has been mixed. Some say he’s waiting for a better offer. Others whisper that he’s been tempted by Madrid’s project. The Spanish giants see him as part of their long-term plan, a player who can follow in the footsteps of Varane. Sources in Spain believe Konate is interested. It’s not just a rumor anymore.
Liverpool fans have mixed feelings. Some believe Konate deserves a new deal immediately. Others think it’s better to move on if his heart is elsewhere. One thing is clear — if he leaves, the club wants someone who can walk straight into the team, and Upamecano is one of those few names that fits perfectly.
Slot, meanwhile, has been calm in public. He doesn’t talk much about contracts, but those close to him say he is fully aware of the situation. His job is to prepare Liverpool for every possibility. He knows that January could bring not just new signings but also big departures. And in his plans, Upamecano is no longer just a backup option — he’s becoming a serious target.
Bayern, however, are not giving up without a fight. They have been trying to tie Upamecano to a new deal, but it’s not going well. Reports in Germany say the defender has made his financial demands clear, but Bayern are not close to matching them. The gap is wide, and if things don’t change before January, Liverpool could take advantage.
At the same time, Bayern are preparing alternatives. They have looked at Nottingham Forest’s Murillo, a young Brazilian defender with great potential, but he would cost a lot. Guehi, on the other hand, could be available for free. That’s why the German club is paying close attention to the situation in London.
This whole saga is not just about footballers — it’s about timing and negotiation. If Liverpool act too late, they could lose both Upamecano and Guehi to Bayern or Madrid. If they move too early, they could send the wrong message to Konate. Every decision has a consequence.
For Slot, the headache doesn’t stop there. He has to think about the future beyond defense too. Mo Salah’s contract is also running down, and the club knows they can’t replace him easily. They have looked at players like Michael Olise, but his form has not been convincing. Even in France, where he played recently, the media called him inconsistent. Another target, Hugo Ekitike, was also criticized heavily after his performance against Azerbaijan.
Liverpool are in a strange position. They are the champions of England, a team full of talent, but they are already planning for life after their current stars. Van Dijk will be 36 when his contract ends. Salah may not stay forever. Konate might leave. Slot’s job is to rebuild while still winning. That’s why the word “succession” has become the new buzzword around Anfield.
Sources close to the team say the club is ready to support Slot fully in January if he wants a new defender. They know that the defense is the foundation. They saw how fragile things looked last season when injuries hit. Slot has already told the board he wants players who are not just good technically but also mentally strong. Upamecano fits that profile. He has played in Champions League finals, he knows the pressure, and at 26, he is entering his peak.
Still, there’s risk. Upamecano has his own ambitions. Real Madrid’s interest in him is real. They see him as a backup option if they can’t land Konate. The Spanish press has reported that Madrid are ready to move for either one depending on who is available first. So for Liverpool, speed is everything.
Behind the scenes, Arne Slot’s agent is also working on his own contract renewal. It’s strange — while he negotiates his future at Liverpool, he is also planning the futures of his players. He has built a good relationship with the board, and they trust him to manage this period carefully. Slot knows how important this January will be. It could shape the next five years of Liverpool’s defense.
At Melwood, the mood among players is quiet but tense. Konate has avoided the topic in interviews. When asked about his future during France duty, he smiled and said he was “focused on the season.” But his silence speaks louder than words. Van Dijk, as captain, has been trying to keep the team calm. He knows how transfer rumors can affect players’ focus.
Meanwhile, fans online have started debating who they would prefer — Guehi or Upamecano. Some say Guehi is younger and fits Liverpool’s modern style. Others prefer the experience and strength of Upamecano. What no one wants is to see another important player leave for free.
As Dean Jones explained, “This is all pretty tangled up. Bayern want to keep Upamecano, but they are not making progress. Liverpool want to be ready if he becomes available. Real Madrid are watching both situations. It’s like chess. One move will affect everyone.”
For Liverpool, patience and precision are key. Slot doesn’t want a panic buy. He wants the right player at the right time. The transfer team has been working with analytics and scouting reports for months, preparing every detail. They know that the January window will be short and intense.
At Bayern, Tuchel is also fighting to keep his defense stable. Losing Upamecano would be a huge blow, especially if they can’t find a quick replacement. The German club still hopes to convince him to stay, but as the days pass, that hope is fading.
At Real Madrid, Florentino Perez has made his intentions clear. He wants a defender to replace Nacho and support Militao and Alaba. Konate fits perfectly into that plan. He’s French, young, and already used to the Champions League stage. Madrid believe he could be their next defensive leader.
That’s why Liverpool must act now. Slot knows he can’t stop players from dreaming about Madrid. What he can do is make sure Liverpool stay strong no matter who leaves. That’s why Upamecano’s name keeps coming back into the discussion.
Inside Anfield, the scouting reports describe Upamecano as “a leader with presence.” The same words once used for Van Dijk. For Slot, that’s not a coincidence. He believes players like that don’t just defend; they inspire others.
As winter approaches, all eyes will be on the three clubs. Will Konate stay or go? Will Upamecano renew or leave? Will Guehi finally make his move? Nobody knows yet, but what is certain is that Liverpool will not wait for fate. They are ready to move fast, ready to fight, ready to protect their legacy.
Because for a club like Liverpool, it’s never just about signing players — it’s about building the next generation. And as Arne Slot looks out over the training ground, watching his players train under the rain, he knows that every decision he makes now will shape what Liverpool becomes tomorrow. The future of his defense, the strength of his team, even his own legacy — all of it could depend on what happens when the window opens in January.
And deep down, as the noise grows louder around Konate, one truth stands clear: Liverpool will not be caught unprepared again.
