Liverpool may be facing up to another high-profile player leaving for free next summer, with Ibrahima Konate said to be eyeing up a move away from Anfield.
The Reds are of course in the midst of a major overhaul in the summer transfer window after winning the Premier League title, with Milos Kerkez the latest new arrival. The former Bournemouth left-back joins Jeremie Frimpong and Florian Wirtz in making the move to Merseyside, while goalkeeper Giorgi Mamardashvili will complete his switch from Valencia next month.
The next step of that overhaul will likely see a number of players leaving Liverpool soon, with Jarell Quansah and Darwin Nunez among those looking set to depart. Amid a busy summer on the transfer front though, Konate’s future continues to be a concern.
The defender has just one year remaining on his contract, and attempts from the Reds to get him tied down to an improved deal have not proved fruitful so far.
Recent reports have suggested that Konate has been left disappointed by Liverpool’s latest contract offer, and is now stalling on talks amid speculation linking him with Real Madrid.
Now, French outlet Foot Mercato claims that the 26-year-old has made his mind up, and wants to leave Liverpool at the end of his current contract.
Ibrahima Konate of France speaks to the media during press conference ahead of their UEFA Nations League 2025 semifinal match between France and Spain on June 04, 2025 in Stuttgart, Germany.
Ibrahima Konate reportedly wants to leave Liverpool at the end of his contract (Image: Pau Barrena - UEFA/UEFA via Getty Images)
Having made the decision, three clubs are said to be eyeing up his signature, including Real. Barcelona and Paris Saint-Germain are also claimed to be in the running, with other clubs understandably said to be interested in the idea of signing Konate for free.
It’s suggested though that the player’s preference is a move to Madrid, which would see him following in the footsteps of Trent Alexander-Arnold, who left the Reds earlier this summer at the end of his contract - although Real was forced to pay a fee in the end in order to release him from his contract in time for the Club World Cup.
There will be no such reprieve next summer though if Konate does indeed want to move to Madrid, with Liverpool once again facing up to the prospect of losing one of its stars for nothing.
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Liverpool.com says: The report from France should be taken with a grain of salt, but all the signs coming from Konate’s contract saga have not been promising so far.
It wouldn’t be a surprise in any way if Madrid has managed to turn his head - he wouldn’t be the first player that’s happened to, and he won’t be the last. If he has decided he wants to leave, that puts Liverpool in a difficult position.
With Quansah seemingly on his way to Bayer Leverkusen, the Reds are facing losing two of their first-team center-back options in the space of 12 months. That makes it all the more imperative that the role becomes a priority now in the transfer window.