Liverpool have given themselves a “soft deadline” to agree a new contract with Ibrahima Konate, according to reports.
The defender’s current deal expires at the end of the season, but talks are still ongoing over an extension.
Negotiations will continue into next month, but Rousing The Kop claim that if no progress is made by the end of November, the Reds will accept that Konate will probably leave on a free transfer next summer.
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The centre-back has been heavily linked with a switch to Real Madrid but Arne Slot’s side are by no means resigned to losing him.
There is thought to be a 50/50 chance of keeping Konate at this point, and it appears that a lot rides on discussions that will take place over the next month or so.
What has Konate said about his future?
The France international actually had a lot to say about his contract situation at the end of last season. He wanted to put the record straight on false media reports, stating:
“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. The rest, that I want to wait until the end [of his contract], all of it is completely fake.”
Konate has not spoken about his future since then, which can be interpreted in any number of ways.
Liverpool are targeting a new centre-half
Regardless of whether Konate stays or goes, it is believed that the Reds will seek to reinforce their options at the back either in January or before the start of next season.
Crystal Palace captain Marc Guehi remains a player of interest, but other targets, such as Bayern Munich’s Dayot Upamecano, Nottingham Forest’s Murillo and Everton’s Jarrad Branthwaite, could also be considered.
Read more about the Liverpool First Team Squad for 2025/26 here