Mikel Arteta has been urged to keep a close eye on Ibrahima Konate’s contract situation, with the Liverpool defender being tipped for a shock move to Arsenal.
Konate’s future at Anfield is becoming a concern for Liverpool fans, with recent attempts to tie the defender down to a new deal seemingly not going to plan. The French international has just a year remaining on his contract on Merseyside, opening up the possibility of him leaving for free next year.
While the Reds have undergone an impressive overhaul this summer, with Milos Kerkez the latest new addition after the arrivals of Jeremie Frimpong and Florian Wirtz, losing Konate would be a big blow.
According to reports in France though, that might already be unavoidable. Foot Mercato has claimed the 26-year-old has decided he wants to leave Liverpool at the end of his current contract.
Real Madrid, Paris Saint-Germain and Barcelona are all said to be interested in securing his signature for nothing next year, with the player preferring a move to the Bernabeu.
One other option has been touted though, and it’s not one that Liverpool fans will like at all.
Arsenal has been told to keep an eye on Ibrahima Konate's contract situation
Arsenal has been told to keep an eye on Ibrahima Konate's contract situation (Image: Photo by Stuart MacFarlane/Arsenal FC via Getty Images)
Former Arsenal defender Nigel Winterburn has suggested his old club should also be in the running for Konate’s signature, and has urged the Gunners to pay close attention to his situation over the next few months.
“The Ibrahima Konate situation at Liverpool will be one to keep an eye on for Arsenal, he’s a strong Premier League player,” Winterburn told BetVictor.
“Having said that, it would be about when he becomes available and where he fits into the team with William Saliba and Gabriel.
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“Modern players are more accepting of rotation, which was not the case in my day, but they will want to see their way into the team if they are to join.
“Arsenal have got options in that position but we don’t know what the future holds, so it’s one to keep an eye on.”
Liverpool.com says: No chance. As galling as it would be to lose another player to Real Madrid, losing Konate to Arsenal would be downright infuriating.
Hopefully, Konate would realize that there's no point in moving to another Premier League side, especially when he's already at a club challenging for titles, and fingers crossed he can still be convinced to stay put at Anfield. If not, that leaves the Reds in a very awkward position.