A decision on Ibrahima Konate's future is looming, with the defender's contract expiring in the summer as speculation continues over an exit from Liverpool and a potential move to Real Madrid
Michael Plant Liverpool FC Reporter and James Findlater Content Editor
06:00, 13 Mar 2026
Ibrahima Konate of Liverpool during the Premier League match between Fulham and Liverpool at Craven Cottage on January 4, 2026 in London, England
Liverpool will soon get an answer on Ibrahima Konate's future(Image: Getty Images)
With just a few months remaining before his contract expires, Ibrahima Konate’s future at Liverpool is set to be decided soon - and all options still remain on the table.
With little sign of progress being made, it has looked increasingly likely that the defender will be exiting Anfield this summer. What’s more, rumors of a move to Real Madrid have been resurfacing recently after the Spanish giant had been rumored to have cooled its interest before January.
Arne Slot though has confirmed that Liverpool is still in talks with Konate, and it has now been claimed that the French international is willing to sign a new deal. The Reds will get their answer very soon, with just over a couple of months remaining before the season ends.
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Konate hasn’t given too much away recently on his plans, although he has addressed the speculation over his future on a few occasions over the past year or so.
Konate first spoke about the matter nearly a year ago, when addressing questions from the media in a Champions League press conference last January. The center-back admitted he had been offered a new deal by the club, but when pushed on if he was close to signing it, replied: “That’s another conversation.”
Asked about claims from Fabrizio Romano that he had been in talks over a new contract, Konate added: “Who talked about that a few months ago? The club didn’t say anything, I didn’t say anything. It’s one person that said that.
“I didn’t know, after I spoke with the club, but I think I am really focused on what happens now. We will see what will happen.”
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)
In February that same year, Konate was again in front of the cameras to preview a Champions League encounter. This time, it was ahead of the PSG first leg, when the questions about his future were inevitable.
"Hearing big clubs like that being interested is very flattering, but now I'm focusing on this season; I want to win everything - take as many titles as possible and then everything that happens in relation to my contractual situation," he said. "It's my agents, my advisors who take care of that."
As Liverpool collected the Premier League title in May, Konate was again quizzed on the topic.
“You know, I just want to say one thing: everything you saw on social media is completely fake,” he said. “I didn't even ask for something from the club. They made me an offer, and I replied to them with something, that is it.
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"The rest [speculation] that I want to wait until the end... I want this, all of it is completely fake. And even the big journalists said in November I am very close to signing the deal. I was like, 'Ah, they have more information than me!?'
"It was not true at that moment, and that is why I was a little bit mad because it was not true at this moment. I knew at one moment people would think I didn't want to sign the contract, but I was never close to signing it. We will see what will happen."
After a summer away, Konate joked in September that Real star and French teammate Kylian Mbappe calls him “every two hours” to try and get him to sign for the club.
Ibrahima Konate speaks during a press conference ahead of France's World Cup qualifier against Azerbaijan
Ibrahima Konate has spoken about his future on a number of occasions over the past year(Image: Getty Images)
Konate last spoke on the matter in November and hinted there could soon be an update on his plans, before a few days later admitting a lot is happening behind the scenes.
“I've seen a lot of things,” he said during a France press conference. “Liverpool have reportedly made me a new offer, I don't know where that information came from. My agents are still in discussions with Liverpool. I hope my decision will be made very soon so I can announce it.”
Later during the international break, Konate added: “It's difficult. We can’t say everything because a lot of things are already being said in the media.
“Some of the things that I read, I’m like... oh la la. That puts me in a tight spot with Liverpool fans, and they don’t even know all the ins and outs.”
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An original version of this article was first published on December 25, 2025.