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Liverpool braced for Ibrahima Konate exit as Real Madrid linked with defender, Sir Jim Ratcliffe approves Andre Onana loan to Turkey - Paper Round
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Updated 10/09/2025 at 07:57 GMT+1
Liverpool are struggling to convince Ibrahima Konate to stay amid links with Real Madrid, while West Ham could be poised to re-sign goalkeeper Lukasz Fabianski after he failed to find a new club as a free agent. Elsewhere, Manchester United and Ruben Amorim were left unimpressed by Andre Onana’s pre-season injury, which has precipitated in an upcoming loan move to Trabzonspor.
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Liverpool anticipate Konate exit
Liverpool have failed in their attempts to persuade Ibrahima Konate to sign a new contract, according to reports in Spain.
The Evening Standard relays details of the claims, which suggest that Real Madrid are poised to sign him for free in the summer of 2026.
The paper states: "Liverpool are bracing themselves to lose Ibrahima Konate on a free transfer.
"This is according to reports in Spain who claim the Premier League champions consider the Frenchman’s departure as a ‘sure thing’ as he enters the final few months of his contract at Anfield.
"Marca claim Liverpool have made up to three contract renewal offers to Konate, but each time the response has remained the same with the centre-back refusing to sign a new deal to extend his stay on Merseyside.
"As a result, the Reds are planning to bolster their defensive options in an attempt to minimise the impact of Konate’s seemingly inevitable exit.
"Meanwhile, Konate, who has been tipped to follow in Trent Alexander-Arnold’s footsteps by joining Real Madrid, has joked that France team-mate Kylian Mbappe has been trying to convince him to make the move."
West Ham in talks for Fabianski return
Lukasz Fabianski could be poised for a swift return to West Ham after leaving over the summer.
He is yet to find a new club as a free agent, and now Graham Potter could bring him back.
The Sun reports: "West Ham are in talks over a London Stadium return for keeper Lukasz Fabianski.
"Polish gloveman Fabianski, 40, left the Hammers in the summer after seven seasons.
"West Ham had previously announced he would leave when his contract expired. But the Pole did not find a new club over the summer.
"Free agent Fabianski is keen on the prospect of re-signing for the club."
Ratcliffe approved Onana exit
Manchester United co-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe was one of the figures to approve Andre Onana’s upcoming loan to Trabzonspor.
The goalkeeper had left Ruben Amorim unimpressed after he was soon injured following his return for pre-season.
The Mail writes: "Sir Jim Ratcliffe supported the decision to ditch Andre Onana as Manchester United’s No. 1 goalkeeper which has taken the Cameroon international by surprise.
"Onana is set to join Trabzonspor on loan for the rest of the season after he lost his place to Altay Bayindir and United signed Senne Lammens from Antwerp for £21.7 million to be their new first-choice keeper.
"Confidential understands Amorim was unhappy that Onana suffered a hamstring tear on his second day of pre-season after returning from Cameroon, where a video emerged of him playing outfield on a muddy makeshift pitch with friends.
"The United boss, who was also wary of Onana’s omission becoming a distraction for Lammens as the Belgian settles in, reached the decision to move him on with director of football Jason Wilcox.
"It was supported by minority owner Ratcliffe, who made his thoughts on Onana clear in March when he spoke publicly about the players who were still costing United money in instalments owed to their old clubs, following his investment in United."
Cooper appointed by Palace co-owner
Crystal Palace co-owner decided to appoint Steve Cooper at Brondby after he helped develop some in-demand England stars.
Marc Guehi, Morgan Gibbs-White and Brennan Johnson are all players who learned from Cooper when he was their manager, and David Blitzer brought him to Denmark as a result.
The Telegraph explains: "The former Nottingham Forest and Leicester City manager Steve Cooper has taken over at Brondby.
"Brondby, who were managed by Thomas Frank earlier in his career, have appointed Cooper with a view to winning their first Danish Superliga title since 2021 and what would be only their fourth this century.
"The club is majority owned by David Blitzer, one of the key US investors in Crystal Palace, via his Global Football Holdings (GFH), a multi-club ownership group. GFH owns, or co-owns, six European clubs across five countries, as well as the stake in Palace.
"Brondby admire Cooper’s reputation in developing young players who have gone on to have successful careers, including Marc Guehi, Morgan Gibbs-White and Brennan Johnson. They regard his appointment as a significant coup."
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