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Liverpool retain some optimism that Ibrahima Konate will sign a new contract and remain at the club, Rousing The Kop can exclusively reveal.
Konate is set to reach the end of the five-year deal he signed upon joining the club in 2021 at the end of the season.
Liverpool are keen for the centre-back to stay, and have been in discussions with the player and his representatives over an extension.
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The latest round of talks is understood to have taken place during the November international break, during which Konate captained France.
Sources have informed RTK that Liverpool are happy with the meetings that took place and remain ‘hopeful’ that an agreement can be reached for Konate to stay.
Ibrahima Konate of Liverpool lines up before the Premier League match between Manchester City and Liverpool at Etihad Stadium
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Ibrahima Konate yet to agree terms with a different club
Should Konate leave Liverpool on a free transfer, he will not be short of suitors.
The 26-year-old has been heavily linked with Real Madrid, while Bayern Munich have recently entered the picture as well.
However, RTK understands that Konate’s camp have made it clear to Liverpool that their client has not agreed terms with any other club.
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Instead, the France international is prioritising Liverpool, with the Reds understood to be planning a renewed attempt to reach an agreement. The next six weeks are seen as being crucial in the saga, as transfer expert Graeme Bailey exclusively explains to RTK.
“I am told that Liverpool feel talks between them and Konate’s camp, that have taken place in the last week, have gone well,” says Bailey.
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“Liverpool remain ‘hopeful’ that Konate will sign a new deal, and I am also led to believe that Konate’s people assured Liverpool that they have not agreed terms with any other club.
“Liverpool are making a big push to get him tied down in the next six weeks ahead of January.”
Liverpool planning further contract extensions
As well Konate, Liverpool are trying to secure the future of a number of first team players.
Dominik Szoboszlai has been offered fresh terms, while RTK understands work is also being done to hand Ryan Gravenberch and Alexis Mac Allister new contracts.
All three midfielders are contracted until 2028, with Liverpool keen to avoid the trio heading into their final two years this summer.
Curtis Jones is expected to sign an extension before the end of the season as well. The Scouser’s current deal expires in 2027.