Ibrahima Konate’s future is a big concern for Liverpool, with the defender’s contract expiring in just 12 months’ time, and still no sign that a renewal could be on the way.
It’s a big summer for the Reds, with Arne Slot and Richard Hughes planning for a Premier League title defense next season, and they’re not wasting any time in the transfer market. Jeremie Frimpong is already on board, Florian Wirtz is on the way, and Milos Kerkez could follow soon after.
More signings could be made, while there will almost certainly be some players making way. Supporters will be hoping Konate isn’t among those.
Football Insider though claims the Frenchman could leave Anfield “in the coming weeks”. It’s suggested that, with contract talks at risk of collapsing, Liverpool has set Konate a deadline to make a decision by the end of the summer transfer window.
Such a big claim should be taken with a healthy dose of salt. Konate is a hugely important player for Liverpool. The club has already made efforts to tie him down to a new deal, and if Mohamed Salah and Virgil van Dijk’s sagas taught us anything, it’s that these matters are never resolved quickly.
There is no doubt though that Konate’s future is a concern for Liverpool, especially with reports suggesting that Real Madrid is waiting ominously in the background again.
What’s more, Konate hasn’t quite filled supporters with hope whenever he’s addressed his contract situation.
The 26-year-old confirmed back in January that he had been offered a new deal by Liverpool, although when he was then asked if he was close to signing it, he responded: “That’s another conversation!”
Liverpool has been in talks over a new contract for Ibrahima Konate
Liverpool has been in talks over a new contract for Ibrahima Konate (Image: Getty Images)
That came after reports earlier in the season that Konate was close to signing a new deal with the Reds — a claim that has proven to be wide of the mark.
“Who talked about that a few months ago?” Konate said. “The club didn’t say anything, I didn’t say anything. It’s one person that said that.
“I didn’t know, after I spoke with the club but I think I am really focused on what happens now. We will see what will happen.”
What did happen was more talks between Liverpool and Konate’s representatives. However, as of last month, the defender was still denying that he was any closer to a new contract at Anfield.
"You know, I just want to say one thing: everything you saw on social media is completely fake," Konate said, responding to more speculation over his future. "I didn't even ask for something from the club. They made me an offer, and I replied to them with something, that is it.
This article contains affiliate links, we will receive a commission on any sales we generate from it. Learn more
Fanatics Official Sports Apparel — Liverpool
"The rest (speculation) that I want to wait until the end... I want this, all of it is completely fake. And even the big journalists said in November I am very close to signing the deal. I was like: 'Ah, they have more information than me!?'
"It was not true at that moment and that is why I was a little bit mad because it was not true at this moment. I knew at one moment people would think I didn't want to sign the contract but I was never close to signing it. We will see what will happen."
Konate would go on to add: "Progressing? Not really but my agent met the club last week but I don't know what will happen. I cannot say what my agent said to me but yeah, we will see what will happen."
All of which doesn’t paint the most encouraging of pictures for Liverpool fans who, while clearly enjoying the strides the club is making in the transfer window, will not want to see another top player leaving for nothing in a year’s time.