Ibrahima Konate has been in contract talks with Liverpool since the 2024-25 season but time is running out.
On the 30th of June, Konate’s current terms with Liverpool will expire and he will become a free agent.
Under FIFA laws, the French football has been free to negotiate with overseas clubs since the start of the January transfer window due to a rule that states players can open talks six months before the expiry of their contracts.
A recent report stated that Liverpool are unwilling to meet Konate’s contract demands and that the centre-back must lower his wage expectations to stay at Anfield.
Another report from ESPN Madrid correspondent Rodra suggests Real Madrid are again interested in signing Konate but they are similarly unwilling to meet his remuneration requests.
Liverpool officials holding meeting with Ibrahima Konate’s agents over new contract
According to five well-respected journalists on X, Liverpool officials will meet with the agent of Konate on Friday to discuss renewing his contract and what that will require.
As things stand, Konate and his representative have rejected multiple contracts while Liverpool, for their part, continue to refuse to pay him what is reportedly a massive wage request.
It will be interesting to see what emerges from this latest round of talks after over a year of speculation.
Konate scored against Newcastle United and, following the tragic passing of his father, was embraced by his teammates while Anfield serenaded him.
It has been disappointing to see the form Konate has been in this season but it wasn’t so long ago that Anfield was booming ‘IBOU’ every time he touched the ball on the way to winning the Premier League last season.
In an ideal world, Liverpool will tie him down to new terms and the French defender will rediscover the monstrous form that saw the Reds bomb onto their 20th league title, equalling Manchester United’s record in the process.
Konate is still only 26 so there is no risk of signing him and seeing him age out before his contract is over. There is plenty of potential for Konate to become the best defender in the world over the next five years.