Liverpool have signed Ibrahima Konate after paying the £36million release clause in his RB Leipzig contract.
The 22-year-old arrives at the Reds after a season of non-stop injuries for the side in the centre-back position, with the 2019/20 Premier League champions acting early before the summer transfer window has even officially opened.
Earlier this year, reports emerged that suggested the Blues could hijack a move for Konate, with a switch to Anfield being on the cards for some time now.
However, Liverpool look like they've got their man - with Jurgen Klopp desperate to bring another central defender to the club following an injury-plagued season on Merseyside.
Virgil van Dijk, Joe Gomez and Joel Matip all missed the majority of the 2020/21 campaign due to serious injuries, which hampered the Reds' title defence.
But Liverpool could be signing another somewhat injury prone player in Konate, with the young defender making just 21 appearances for Leipzig last term.
Despite his injury problems, when he does get on the pitch, the Leipzig star is a superb defender. He's aerially dominant, very quick and ticks all the boxes to be a potentially brilliant modern day centre-half.
But Thomas Tuchel and Chelsea reportedly missing out on the Frenchman does not necessarily come as a big blow for the club.
The Thiago Silva situation needs to be resolved as soon as possible, although reports do suggest he is set to sign a one-year extension on his deal at Stamford Bridge.
Antonio Rudiger's form since Tuchel took over was very encouraging for Chelsea fans - with the German defender imposing himself as an imperious, aggressive and assured centre-back.
Andreas Christensen and Cesar Azpilicueta are more than viable options for Tuchel as well, but Fikayo Tomori is looking more and more likely to depart the west London club for good in the summer.
Chelsea are still being linked with another centre-back with the summer transfer window on the horizon, but it perhaps isn't a must for Marina Granovskaia.
However, the biggest blow out of all of this is Liverpool strengthening. The Reds could be back to their best next season with the likes of Van Dijk, Gomez and Matip returning; on top of bringing Konate in.
If Klopp can bring in another couple of top players - with reports suggesting they just might - then Liverpool could be back to their 2019/20 best, which is not good news for the Blues.
Following Tuchel's impressive spell in west London so far, many are tipping the club to compete with the likes of Manchester City for the Premier League title next season.
