Ibrahima Konate is set to leave Liverpool this summer, and the reason for the club opting against a contract renewal has been reported.
In quick succession, one reporter after another has stated that Konate is set to depart in the summer after talks over a new deal, which spanned more than two years, failed to reach an agreement.
The Athletic‘s James Pearce and David Ornstein state talks “have not progressed,” with the Times‘ Paul Joyce writing that “the player and club [were] unable to agree new terms.”
Ben Jacobs, who initially broke the news on Thursday evening, now states that the Frenchman’s exit is “viewed by sources as a disappointing outcome, and one Liverpool tried to avert.”
Why Ibrahima Konate has not extended Liverpool contract
PARIS, FRANCE - Wednesday, April 8, 2026: Liverpool's Ibrahima Konate reacts to conceding the second goal during the UEFA Champions League Quarter-Final 1st Leg match between Paris Saint-Germain FC and Liverpool FC at the Parc des Princes. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
As for why the outcome has been reached, Jacobs claims that there “was a significant gulf” over the terms of the deal, with Liverpool staying disciplined to maintain their wage structure.
It is explained that the club were “prepared to pay big wages,” but they chose “not to proceed with what is seen as an expensive renewal.”
Liverpool “will instead put that resource into replacing Mo Salah, and into strengthening other key areas this summer.”
While it is stated that there are “high hopes” for young centre-back duo, Jeremy Jacquet and Giovanni Leoni, failing to invest further in defence could prove extremely costly.
Leoni, while on course to return for the start of pre-season, is coming off a season-ending ACL injury suffered on debut, while Jacquet has missed the last few months with a shoulder injury.
That would leave only Virgil van Dijk and Joe Gomez as the veteran centre-back options, the former of whom has played over 5,000 minutes this season ahead of the World Cup, and the latter has again struggled with injury.
While Liverpool were well within their rights not to pay over the odds for Konate, they have left themselves with a lot of needs to address in a summer compromised by the World Cup.
It remains to be seen where Konate will ply his trade from next season, but Liverpool will not receive a transfer fee and have only bid farewell to his wages, which is reportedly around £80,000 per week.
It was reported last year that he was seeking a rise to around £200,000 per week, which would have placed him below the club’s highest earners.