Liverpool are mulling over a move for Crystal Palace star Marc Guehi, who could replace Ibrahima Konate ahead of his contract expiring with the Reds next summer
LONDON, ENGLAND - MAY 17: Crystal Palace's Marc Guehi holds the trophy aloft during the Emirates FA Cup Final match between Crystal Palace and Manchester City at Wembley Stadium on May 17, 2025 in London, England. (Photo by Andrew Kearns - CameraSport via Getty Images)
Liverpool are interested in signing Marc Guehi(Image: Andrew Kearns - CameraSport via Getty Images)
Liverpool defender Ibrahima Konate has been left disappointed by the club's first offer of a new contract. Konate, 26, sees his current deal expire next summer and he's been linked with a free transfer to Real Madrid.
Uncertainty surrounding the Frenchman's future intensified last week when it emerged that Liverpool are weighing up a bid for Crystal Palace centre-back Marc Guehi. Like Konate, the England international has entered the last 12 months of his contract and Palace are ready to cash in.
Newcastle and Tottenham have previously made bids, with Palace now braced for Liverpool to make a formal approach. Guehi, 24, could end up being Konate's replacement, as the ex-RB Leipzig star has rejected their initial offer of a new contract.
The Guardian report that Konate, who joined the Reds for £36m in 2021, is unhappy with the structure of the proposal. Konate's representatives are pushing for higher wages, with the prospect of following in Trent Alexander-Arnold's footsteps a possibility.
Madrid convinced Alexander-Arnold to snub a new deal with Liverpool and although they ultimately paid a £10m fee to sign him one month early ahead of the Club World Cup, it was only a fraction of the star's market value. Talks with Alexander-Arnold last season were part of why the Reds delayed negotiations with Konate.
Liverpool's focus was on the three players who were due to be out of contract in 2025 - namely Alexander-Arnold, Virgil van Dijk and Mo Salah. The Reds were successful with the latter pair, as they both agreed new two-year deals in the spring.
Madrid have made a habit of signing big-name players upon the expiry of their contracts, with Kylian Mbappe, Antonio Rudiger and David Alaba all arriving via free transfers in recent years. Konate recently dropped hint on his immediate future, having helped Liverpool win the Premier League title.
Should Liverpool sign Marc Guehi and sell Ibrahima Konate? Have your say in the comments section.
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - APRIL 27: Ibrahima Konate of Liverpool celebrates the teams victory and confirmation of winning the Premier League title after the Premier League match between Liverpool FC and Tottenham Hotspur FC at Anfield on April 27, 2025 in Liverpool, England. (Photo by Carl Recine/Getty Images)
Ibrahima Konate has 12 months left on his Liverpool contract
"Next season, we go again," he posted on Instagram. As for his long-term future at Anfield, Konate told French broadcaster Canal Plus last month: "This is a conversation with the club and we will see."
Arne Slot doesn't want to lose Konate, who he believes can get even better. "He's already very good. He's a centre-back who, without even touching the ball, is impressive because he is so strong and tall," the Reds boss explained in January.
"One of the things he could improve is his play with the ball, bringing the ball out from the back. I would not say he was poor in that but he could improve and go to another level."
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