Liverpool are facing a contract conundrum over Ibrahima Konate. The Frenchman signed for the Reds from RB Leipzig for £35m back in 2021 – but his current terms are due to expire in 2026.
Although sporting director Richard Hughes has been attempting to renew the 26-year-old’s contract for quite some time now, there has yet to be a breakthrough in negotiations over a new deal.
If no agreement is struck then Konate will be leaving on a free transfer at the end of the season.
Of course that would be a bitter blow for Arne Slot’s side – with Konate establishing himself as one of the best centre-backs around during the 2024/25 Premier League title-winning campaign.
🔴 Shop the LFC 2025/26 adidas away range
Real Madrid are reported to be the keenest suitors for the France international as Antonio Rudiger and David Alaba are due to leave the club in summer 2026.
The Anfield club will need to pay attention to interest from Premier League rivals however – with it being reported that Manchester City, Arsenal and Chelsea have been sounded out over the stopper’s potential availability.
But Liverpool can take some encouragement from the latest news coming out of Madrid because it appears a bid for Konate is not as clear-cut as it would have first seemed.
Firstly, according to a report on ESPN, the 15-time European champions are not “unanimous” about signing the central defender in the same way that they were about Trent Alexander-Arnold.
“Some at the club view Konaté — who is out of contract at Anfield next summer — as the latest candidate for a policy which has seen Madrid recruit other top players, like Alexander-Arnold, Kylian Mbappé, Antonio Rüdiger and David Alaba on free transfers in recent years,” the report states before adding:
“There is not the same degree of unanimity inside the club over Konaté as there was in the case of Alexander-Arnold.”
That outlook chimes with what’s being reported in the Madrid media – as Defensa Central are actively talking down Konate’s abilities.
Far from being seen as a game-changer – like French international captain Mbappe – it looks like Los Blancos regard Konate simply as a decent option on a free.
© IMAGO
“Everything points to them trying to sign Ibrahima Konaté as a free agent,” the report reads.
“That’s the club’s main plan, even though he’s not a player who inspires huge expectations.
“He would simply be the best reinforcement on the market given the departures of Rüdiger and Alaba, because it’s very likely that the German center back will also end up leaving.”
So Konate now knows what Madrid REALLY think. They are not prepared to move heaven and earth to secure his signing.
Liverpool is currently the place to be – top of the Premier League and looking like a good bet for the Champions League too. We all know Konate is in the right place – so let’s hope he comes to the same conclusion before his contract runs out.
