Ibrahima Konate's contract at Liverpool is set to expire in the summer, with recent reports suggesting Real Madrid has renewed its interest in signing the defender
James Findlater Content Editor
09:50, 12 Mar 2026
Ibrahima Konate of Liverpool FC looks on before the match. Galatasaray SK and Liverpool FC faced each other at UEFA Champions League 2025/26 League Round of 16 - 1st leg. The match took place in Ali Sami Yen Rams Park Stadium on March 10th, 2026
Ibrahima Konate's contract at Liverpool expires in the summer(Image: Getty Images)
Ibrahima Konate is willing to sign a new contract at Liverpool according to the latest reports, despite ongoing links with a move to Real Madrid this summer.
As things stand, Konate is set to become a free agent at the end of the current season, with his contract in its final few months. Although the defender has acknowledged that there have been talks over the past year or so, no breakthrough has been made with regards to a new deal at Anfield.
That could lead to the French international becoming the latest player to join Real Madrid after letting his contract run down, following the leads of Trent Alexander-Arnold and international teammate Kylian Mbappe.
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Although there were suggestions at the turn of the year that the Spanish giant had turned its interest away from Konate, recent reports have suggested that Los Blancos could be back in for him.
Defensa Central has this week claimed that Real has been in contact with the player’s agents as it looks to negotiate a signing-on bonus to tempt him away from Liverpool.
With time running out, it does look increasingly likely that Konate will leave the Reds in the summer, although David Ornstein has suggested there is still hope for Liverpool.
Liverpool's Dutch manager Arne Slot (L) speaks with Liverpool's French defender #05 Ibrahima Konate (R) during a training session at the team's training ground in Kirkby, north of Liverpool in north-west England, on November 3, 2025, on the eve of their UEFA Champions League league phase football match against Real Madrid. (Photo by PETER POWELL / AFP) (Photo by PETER POWELL/AFP via Getty Images)
Arne Slot has confirmed Liverpool is in talks with Ibrahima Konate over a new contract
Speaking on The Atheltic FC podcast, Ornstein said: “I think there’s constructive conversation around that one.
“I do think there’s a will on both sides, player and club, to try and find an agreement. It’s not there yet, but the conversations, from what we hear, are continuing and are pretty cordial.”
Konate himself has given little away about his contract situation recently, having denied reports last season suggesting that he was close to signing a new deal.
Arne Slot though has confirmed that talks are ongoing between the club and the defender, with Liverpool’s position on the matter clear.
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"We are in talks with him, so that tells you what we want,” Slot said last month. “It's clear we would like him to stay, but negotiations are ongoing, so let's see where that ends. We wouldn't be in negotiations if we didn't want him to stay."
Liverpool.com says: If he’s willing, then Liverpool should absolutely try and find a way to tie down Konate to a new contract.
Although he has been inconsistent this season, when he’s at his best, he is one of the best defenders around. Plus, given Virgil van Dijk’s age, Konate could soon become the senior center-back at Anfield, which would be a crucial role as he helps the likes of Giovanni Leoni and Jeremy Jacquet.
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Liverpool though needs to get a move on, and the fact that we’re now in March with still no real signs of progress would suggest that he’s closer to an exit than staying at the club.