Ibrahima Konate could be about to present Liverpool with another contract dilemma, with talks over a new deal for the Frenchman seemingly stalling.
Konate has just a year remaining on his contract at Anfield, and after firmly establishing himself as Virgil van Dijk’s first-choice partner in defense during the Reds’ Premier League title win, a new deal looks to be a priority for Arne Slot and Richard Hughes.
That’s easier said than done though, and Liverpool looks as though it may have hit a roadblock in discussions with the 26-year-old, raising fears that we could see a repeat of recent events.
According to The Guardian, Konate is stalling on a new deal at Anfield, having rejected the Reds’ latest offer.
The defender is said to be “disappointed” by Liverpool’s offer, with his representatives pushing for a higher basic wage rather than accepting what’s currently on the table, which is based on him meeting certain performance targets.
That will raise concerns among Liverpool fans, with Real Madrid once again reportedly lurking and eyeing up another free transfer.
The Spanish side of course signed Trent Alexander-Arnold earlier this summer, although the Reds did manage to get a fee in the end as Real had to pay in order to sign the right-back up in time for the Club World Cup.
Trent Alexander-Arnold and Ibrahima Konate celebrate Liverpool's goals.
Reports suggest Ibrahima Konate might be following Trent Alexander-Arnold to Real Madrid next year
The Bernabeu club though has made a habit of turning players’ heads before their contracts run down, having done the same with Kylian Mbappe. The fear is that the same might be about to happen with Konate.
Liverpool is said to be planning to revive discussions with the defender later in the summer, although the club is adamant it won’t be forced into overpaying on a new contract.
Responding to speculation over his future last month, Konate said: "You know, I just want to say one thing: everything you saw on social media is completely fake. 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.
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"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."
Liverpool.com says: This all feels very familiar, doesn’t it? The good news is that there are at least some clearer updates on Konate’s discussions as opposed to Alexander-Arnold’s, which does offer up some hope that a deal can be reached.
Still, whenever Real Madrid is said to be lurking, it does often feel like we’re heading for an inevitable conclusion. Hopefully, Konate’s head hasn’t been turned yet.