Glen Johnson: It’s Crazy That Konate Can Leave For Free

Liverpool go into the new Premier League season as defending champions and they’ve splashed the cash in order to strengthen their chances of retaining the title, bringing in Florian Wirtz for a British record fee of £116 million.

While Wirtz is a major addition, the Reds could be dragged into another Trent Alexander-Arnold-esque transfer saga as reportedly Ibrahima Konate is being tapped up by Real Madrid for a free transfer in 2026.

We sat down with ex Liverpool and England full-back Glen Johnson to discuss Konate’s situation, expectations from Wirtz and Darwin Nunez’s future at Anfield.

It’s crazy that a player like Konate can leave on a free

While Johnson understands that football is a business, he still finds it shocking that a player like Konate can leave for free. He thinks Liverpool should try to cash in on him but says that they can be in a helpless position if Real Madrid are knocking again.

“Football is a business but it's crazy that a player at that age and ability can leave on a free. Ideally, Liverpool would cash in now but when Real Madrid comes knocking and the player wants to go, what can you do.”

“He can refuse to move, sit and wait. Madrid have the power and pull and it’s sensible to use it to their advantage. For Liverpool and other teams you have to cash in sooner because it will cost a fortune to replace Konate.”

Marc Guehi would be the perfect Konate replacement

With Konate’s future at Liverpool on a knife’s edge, the Reds could dip into the market to reinforce themselves at centre-back. Arne Slot’s side has been linked to the likes of Marc Guehi, Murillo, Jorrel Hato and more.

Guehi has been linked with a lot of clubs this summer and you can calculate the odds of him leaving but Johnson believes Liverpool would be the perfect fit. Guehi could replace Konate and be a great partner to Virgil van Dijk.

“Marc would be the standout option for me. If they signed him now he would have more time to grow and develop with van Dijk. He won’t learn from anyone better. Age is on his side too. It could be a good partnership.”

“He’s a raw defender and he’s good on the ball. He’s quick, strong and calm on the ball. If he can brush up on a few minor details he could go on to be some player not that he isn’t already.”

I want Darwin Nunez to stay

Another player who could be on his way out is Darwin Nunez with Napoli leading the race to sign the Uruguayan striker. Nunez’s goal conversion rate has been a sore point for the Liverpool faithful over the past couple of seasons but his work rate has been unquestionable.

Johnson is firmly in the camp of Nunez staying at Liverpool, emphasising on his effort and how he helps the team. That being said, Johnson understands that if Nunez doesn’t perform this season, he’s likely to be shipped out in 2026.

“I have said all along that I want Darwin to stay. I just think he does so much more for the team and his teammates than fans or the press gives him credit for.”

“Of course, strikers are going to be judged on goals and numbers, rightly so, but you can ask any Liverpool player and they would love him to be in the team. The defenders don´t want to play against him, and that gives the other guys the space to do what they are doing.”

“But eventually, the numbers do count, and if he doesn´t have a big year now, he probably will be moved on.”

“But as a player, everyone would want him in the dressing room. But of course, everyone would like to sign Isak as well.”

The transfer fee is not Florian Wirtz’s problem

Johnson also gave his thoughts on Wirtz and that big transfer fee. The former England international is sure that Wirtz will thrive in the Premier League as he has the required skillset to do so.

The German midfielder’s transfer broke the British record and Johnson trusts Liverpool’s reasoning behind it, considering their track record. He acknowledges that the fee will bring pressure on Wirtz but iterates that it is not his fault and Liverpool will do everything to acclimatize him to the Premier League.

“Wirtz gets goals from midfield which all teams need. To have a player with his flair and the way he plays tells me he’s got all it takes to make it in the Premier League. It’s a lot of money but Liverpool gets it right more often than not. They would have done an endless deep dive in his data and video footage and checked to see if he’d fit in the dressing room.”

“I’m positive about the move. There will be a lot of scrutiny if he doesn’t hit the ground running but the fee isn’t his fault. It’s not his problem. He’ll have support from the club to allow him to get out of the traps as quickly as possible and I’m sure he’ll hit the traps running.”

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