Ibrahima Konate took a potential step towards an unlikely future at Liverpool on Friday after seeing Real Madrid end their interest in him.
The centre-back has been playing under a cloud all season, with his contract due to expire in the summer of 2026.
Konate has been in terrible form, leading to claims from supporters that he is already mentally playing for another club.
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Ibrahima Konate of Liverpool lines up before the Premier League match between Manchester City and Liverpool at Etihad Stadium
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Up until Friday, that club had been assumed to be Real Madrid, but after Los Blancos informed Liverpool they do not wish to sign Konate, a new narrative is being formed.
With the options now a little more unclear, Rousing The Kop has assessed three potential scenarios that could transpire between now and the end of the season.
1. Ibrahima Konate signs a new contract and stays at Liverpool
Heading into the campaign, the most desirable option from a Liverpool fan point of view was that Konate would sign a new deal.
The 26-year-old was crucial to Liverpool’s Premier League title win last term and is one of the best centre-backs in Europe on his day.
Ibrahima Konate points during Liverpool's UEFA Champions League match against PSV Eindhoven at Anfield
Photo by Rene Nijhuis/MB Media/Getty Images
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However, those days have been few and far between recently, leading to a feeling that a parting of the ways would not be so bad.
Now that Madrid have backed off, though, perhaps Konate’s form will improve. With one less suitor, his discussions with Liverpool may also accelerate. Despite everything, that is still the best outcome for Reds fans, and with talks ongoing, it remains a possibility that Konate stays.
2. Liverpool sell Konate in January
Since news of Madrid’s decision on Friday morning, fans have been wondering exactly why they have publicly made the call to end interest in a player they could have had for nothing next year.
Technically, Konate would not be a Liverpool player when he joined Madrid, so there is really no need to keep those lines of communication so open.
As a result, some are deducing that the La Liga giants are simply saying that they do not want to buy Konate in January.
That would suggest that Liverpool may actually be open to selling the Frenchman, and although he won’t be heading to Madrid, maybe a PSG or Bayern Munich could come to the table this winter. Given his form, it would not be a surprise if the Reds had decided to cash in on Konate at the last opportunity.
Ibrahima Konate responds to criticism of Liverpool form
“We have to take this moment on the chest. Criticism is part of football, and we’ll fight back every time and come through this storm. In these moments, the fans matter most. The ones who stand with us in the good times and the bad – the ones who sing for us even in the difficult moments! Your voice and your support mean everything to us. We know we need to improve and we’ll keep fighting for you. Always.”
Ibrahima Konate issues Liverpool rallying call
Will Konate come good again for Liverpool?
3. Konate leaves on a free for a different European giant
The likelihood is that we will get a clearer picture on what is happening with Konate by the end of the January window.
If he still has not signed a new contract or been offloaded for a fee, it will then become virtually certain that the France international will be departing on a free.
You never know with Madrid, maybe they will come back in, but even if they do not, Konate is likely to end up with a European giant.
Bayern Munich, PSG and Barcelona have all been credited with an interest, and it would not be a surprise to see Liverpool’s No. 5 end up with any of that storied trio.
There really are only three options now available to Konate. Which one he takes will decide his Liverpool legacy once and for all.
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