Ibrahima Konate faces an uncertain future at Liverpool as he approaches the final few months of his contractplaceholder image
Ibrahima Konate faces an uncertain future at Liverpool as he approaches the final few months of his contract | Liverpool FC via Getty Images
Ibrahima Konate faces an uncertain future at Liverpool as he approaches the final few months of his contract
Liverpool are reportedly willing to sell Ibrahima Konate in the January transfer window as part of a dramatic mid-season defensive overhaul.
Konate joined Liverpool from RB Leipzig in 2021 in a deal worth around £36m and has since gone on to play more than 150 matches for one of England’s most iconic football clubs. He’s overcome a series of injury issues in his early years to win one FA Cup, two League Cups and a Premier League title while also reaching the final of the Champions League in 2022.
He was amongst the top performing defenders in the Premier League during Arne Slot’s first season in charge and was lauded for a series of stellar displays after forming an imperious partnership with club captain Virgil van Dijk. However, his future has been the subject of constant speculation this season as he enters the final six months of his contract with the club.
Ibrahima Konate could leave Liverpool in January - report
In a stunning claim made by Football Insider, Liverpool are open selling Konate in January if the right offer comes in for the Frenchman.
The outlet claims Slot is unhappy with the French defender’s recent performances and has decided a change could now be necessary during the midpoint of the season as the Dutchman continues to fight to secure his future at Anfield after a series of concerning results. It’s reported that Liverpool would be willing to accept offers in the region of £15m to avoid losing Konate on a free rather than allowing the player to run down his contract.
It’s not been disclosed which clubs are linked with Konate at this stage, although it’s worth noting that according to Football Insider, Real Madrid are no longer in the running to bring the former RB Leipzig man to the Spanish capital. It’s believed Xabi Alonso’s side, who signed Trent Alexander-Arnold on a free last summer are instead weighing up potential alternatives for that position.
Liverpool face huge Ibrahima Konate conundrum amid growing injury list
Following Liverpool’s failure to sign Marc Guehi on deadline day, the decision to sell Jarell Quansah, Giovanni Leoni’s ACL injury and most recently Joe Gomez’ muscle injury - Liverpool only have two fit and available centre-backs heading into the festive period as they aim to fight for honours on multiple fronts.
It’s not an ideal position for the champions to be in with fixtures coming thick and fast in the league - and with the FA Cup and Champions League campaigns taking centre stage in 2026.
Football Insider understands Liverpool would only sell Konate if a replacement is signed but realistically speaking they’d need at least two top-class operators in the winter window to be equipped for the goals they want to achieve. The January transfer window is also a notoriously difficult window to get deals done due to team’s reluctance to sell mid-season and the fact that often club’s look to inflate the prices of players.
The Liverpool Word verdict: Konate has had arguably his most challenging chapter in a Liverpool shirt over the last few months and he’s rightfully being criticised for allowing his levels to drop this term. However, Liverpool can’t afford to leave themselves short on options in the second half of the season if they want to compete for the top honours. It’s also worth noting that Konate has stepped up slightly in recent weeks. Our reporters gave him an8/10 rating for his efforts against Inter Milanwhile he followed that up withanother steady 8/10 display in the win against Brighton.
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