14:06, 14 Jan 2026<\/p>\n
![\"Arne](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/3_GettyImages-2244523940.jpg\")
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Arne Slot could kill two birds with one stone by offloading a Liverpool star on the downward slope while signing an England international(Image: Getty Images)<\/p>\n
Former Liverpool<\/a> and Aston Villa<\/a> forward Stan Collymore has proposed a swap deal between the two clubs before the January transfer window closes. And it’s one that could work out for both teams in the long run.<\/p>\n Following Ibrahima Konate’s<\/a> rocky record so far this season, Collymore has suggested that he be offered to Villa in exchange for Ezri Konsa.<\/a> Konate, 26, is out of contract at the end of this season and is reportedly being monitored by <\/a>clubs such as Real Madrid,<\/a> Bayern Munich<\/a> and PSG.<\/a><\/p>\n However, moves of that magnitude may not be on the table come the summer if his current form persists. And Collymore believes England international Konsa, who is two years older and has a contract until 2028, could be a smart acquisition as his replacement.<\/p>\n “Liverpool must identify a replacement for Ibrahima Konate if he leaves, especially because I don\u2019t think Virgil van Dijk will be far behind him,” he told BetWright football betting. “I know there\u2019s been talk of Marc Guehi<\/a>, but I\u2019m looking at someone like Ezri Konsa, who\u2019s probably going to start for England at the World Cup alongside John Stones<\/a>.<\/p>\n “If I was head of recruitment at Liverpool, I think Konsa and Guehi would both be deals that provide good value for money. Aston Villa have PSR issues that they need to address, so if they were to get a big fee for Konsa, they might have to consider it.<\/p>\n READ MORE: Liverpool transfer ruled out as ‘urgent’ Conor Bradley replacement search underway<\/a>READ MORE: Liverpool transfer news: Second offer incoming as Arne Slot braces for \u00a352m Real Madrid fight<\/a><\/p>\n “For me, Konate thinks he\u2019s the best defender since sliced bread but hasn\u2019t played like it recently. I\u2019m sure he\u2019s thinking he\u2019ll be going to the likes of PSG<\/a> or Real Madrid<\/a>, but could there be a swap deal where Konsa goes to Liverpool and Konate goes to Aston Villa? That would be something that would work for both parties.”<\/p>\n There’s one party that Collymore may not be taking into consideration: Konate himself. The 26-year-old is poised to leave for free in the summer<\/a>, at which point he’ll be able to command a much higher wage, because the club signing him will be saving so much on his transfer fee.<\/p>\n Then there’s the expectation that Konate would be prepared to join Unai Emery<\/a> at Villa Park when he’s recently been linked with some of Europe’s elite. It’s also a major deal to complete with barely a fortnight left in the January transfer window<\/a>, though not impossible given it would be a like-for-like trade.<\/p>\n Ibrahima Konate has been linked to the likes of Bayern Munich, PSG and Real Madrid(Image: Molly Darlington\/Getty Images)<\/p>\n “A lot depends on Konate \u2013 if he plays like he was last season, then he should be able to attract an elite Champions League<\/a> club,” added Collymore. “However, if his form continues to be scratchy, there\u2019s no guarantee he\u2019ll move to a club of that calibre. That\u2019s where the likes of Villa or Newcastle<\/a> could potentially strike a deal with Liverpool.”<\/p>\n One can understand why Liverpool would be open to such a transfer, which would provide them with an alternative centre-back in peak form. It would also save Arne Slot’s side the hassle of losing Konate for nothing and having to search for a replacement, which would likely cost a considerable amount.<\/p>\n Signing Konsa this month would also come with the benefit of adding some much-needed cover at right-back. Conor Bradley’s season-ending injury has created concern on the right side of Slot’s defence, and Konsa has been competent in that position for club and country in the past.<\/p>\n Ezri Konsa is a hot commodity at present, while Konate’s reputation has declined(Image: Getty Images)<\/p>\n As Collymore mentioned, Virgil van Dijk also looks set to leave Anfield in the near future and has a contract until June 2027. And unless there’s a sudden breakthrough in negotiations regarding Konate’s contract, the 2022 World Cup runner-up will end his spell on Merseyside this summer.<\/p>\n Liverpool and Villa are directly next to one another in the Premier League<\/a> standings at present, though Emery’s men are eight points better off in third. From that perspective, trading a key man to one’s rival at this stage of the campaign may not make sense, but the need to comply with spending restrictions could leave an opening for Liverpool to capitalise upon.<\/p>\n Join our LFC WhatsApp community<\/a> and get all the latest LFC news, views, transfer gossip and more, as it happens We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don’t like our community, you can check out any time you like. 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