Ibrahima Konate could leave Liverpool in 2026placeholder image
Ibrahima Konate could leave Liverpool in 2026 | Getty Images
Liverpool had nearly a perfect transfer window, however, the future of Ibrahima Konate is still a cause for concern.
When the transfer window closed there couldn’t have been many managers happier than Liverpool’s Arne Slot.
Liverpool hold the cards in Ibrahima Konate contract talks
There is no need to throw him straight in given how well Hugo Ekitike has started his career at Anfield, even if he might feel slightly aggrieved at the arrival of an even more expensive no.9.
The window closed with only one real disappointment, the late collapse of the Marc Guehi transfer that had been agreed and that also cost Joe Gomez his move to AC Milan. What Slot will be happy about, is that Ibrahima Konate stayed at Liverpool despite interest from Real Madrid throughout the summer amid reports of a new contract being rejected to stay on Merseyside.
With no Guehi, there is a chance to make Konate feel more loved, the World Cup across the Atlantic is next summer and the France international will want to be playing regularly if he is to not only make the squad but hold down a starting place for a team that will be considered one of the favourites once again. Competition is tough though with Arsenal star William Saliba and Bayern Munich ace Dayot Upamecano regularly selected ahead of the Liverpool centre-half. If Konate wants to displace them, he has to be playing, and has to be playing well.
The last thing Konate needs is to be unsettled or have uncertainty with his contract because if he continues to play hardball, Liverpool could move for Guehi again in January and it won’t be the player seeing out his contract who will get the nod alongside Virgil van Dijk.
Additionally, after signing Dean Huijsen in the summer, Real Madrid’s squad is well stocked for central defenders too, Konate certainly wouldn’t just walk straight into their starting XI as Trent Alexander-Arnold has found to his cost.
While Liverpool might be on the back-foot if Madrid are courting Konate ahead of a potential free transfer, the defender will have to consider his place with the French national team. It does give the Reds a brutal advantage in the contract talks, as Konate knows he needs to playing this season to make the grade with France. It may feel counter-productive to drop him but Liverpool need to put the interests of the club first and signal to wantaway players that their desires will not always be put above the club.
Does Slot want Konate to stay at Liverpool?
What is clear, is that Slot wants Konate to stay. He confirmed earlier this year that a new contract had been offered before a glowing assessment of the 26-year old, via BBC Sport: "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.
"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.
"He works really hard to improve that and I already see this improvement. Defensively, he is of the highest standard. He's fast, he's strong, he wins duels. He can cover for his team-mates as well if needed.
"Defensively, there is not a lot he can improve. From all the ball possession we have, we would like to create even more chances than we are doing now and that starts from bringing the ball out from the back."
It is the sort of praise that a manager gives to a player who they want to stay. With the new players who have been signed, Liverpool are only heading on one direction and Konate would do well to reflect on what he already has, after all, the grass isn’t always greener on the other side.
Continue Reading