RB Leipzig's sporting director Markus Krosche has denied that the club are close to selling defender Ibrahima Konate to Liverpool this summer.
The French centre-back has been heavily linked with a move to Jurgen Klopp's side, who are keen to bolster their defensive options despite two additions in January.
According to a report from The Athletic on Monday, Liverpool were in "advanced talks" to sign Konate, however Krosche has ruled out the sale of the defender, who he expects to stay at the club this summer.
"I can't say anything on that topic. I think that this is not an option for Ibu. He has a long contract with us and he knows what we mean to him and what he means to us," Krosche told Stats Perform News.
"He was unlucky last year as he had a longer injury but this year he is in a good way and he is an extremely important player that has a lot of potential.
"We want to help him to further develop, and we play internationally, have a very good team, so I don't see a reason for him to leave us."
Konate, who has suffered with an ankle injury for much of this season, has made just nine Bundesliga appearances, scoring once in a 3-0 victory over Freiburg in November. body check tags ::
