Ibrahima Konate says his ‘phone was ringing all over the place’ over reports of Liverpool transfer

RB Leipzig defender Ibrahima Konate says his phone has been “ringing all over the place” after reports emerged linking him with a move to Liverpool - but insists his focus is on France’s U21 Euros campaign. 

Numerous reports on Monday suggested the Reds will move for the centre-back this summer, addressing a need that has cost them dear this season after injuries to Virgil van Dijk, Joe Gomez and Joel Matip.

Konate is currently in Hungary for the group stages of the U21 European Championships, where France lost their opening fixture before beating Russia 2-0 on Sunday to keep their campaign alive. 

“I woke up, I saw my phone ringing all over the place,” Konate told L’Equipe. “I just wanted to tell them, ‘Hey, I played yesterday, I’m tired, leave me alone.

“Frankly, I don’t even watch this. We can’t focus on that, there are the Euros and then my return to the club. You have to focus on that and not on the external things.”