RB Leipzig chief Oliver Mintzlaff has confirmed Ibrahima Konate's contract carries a buyout clause.

The Liverpool Echo says the Reds have placed Konate on a five-man centre-back shortlist that they will consider signing this summer.

Various reports have emerged over the past few weeks claiming that a deal is close to being completed, but as things stand he is still a Leipzig player.

Konate is said to have a clause that could be activated if interested clubs pay £34m, but despite this Mintzlaff says he wants the player to stay at Leipzig.

“We'll see what happens. I spoke to him this week", Mintzlaff is quoted telling Sky Deutschland. “No decision has been made yet.

“There is an exit clause. That's why we don't sit in the driver's seat.

“He is a player we want to keep."