Ibrahima Konate's exit from Liverpool has been all but confirmed now, with Arne Slot having previously faced questions over the defender's future amid the delay in contract talks
12:06, 29 May 2026
Liverpool's Dutch coach Arne Slot (R) greets Liverpool's French defender #05 Ibrahima Konate following the victory at the end of the UEFA Champions League, round of 16 second leg football match between Liverpool and Galatasaray at Anfield in Liverpool, north-west England on March 18, 2026. (Photo by Paul ELLIS / AFP via Getty Images)
Arne Slot addressed Ibrahima Konate's contract situation earlier this month(Image: Getty Images)
Ibrahima Konate’s exit from Liverpool is all but confirmed now, with an announcement from Liverpool surely in the pipeline soon.
The defender will leave Anfield as a free agent when his contract expires at the end of next month. Reports of his exit first emerged late on Thursday, and have since been corroborated by other outlets.
Konate’s future has been a major talking point for well over a year now, with the 27-year-old having denied reports last season that he had signed a new deal. Just last month though, it looked as though he had finally reached an agreement with Liverpool.
Following the Merseyside derby win over Everton in April, Konate told reporters he was close to an agreement, and insisted that he had always wanted to stay at Liverpool.
"I think everyone wished for that for as long as possible, but we are in a good way,” Konate said at the time.
“For sure, there is a big chance I’m here next season. This is what I always wanted. I’m waiting to sort the contract, but when everything is sorted, you will have to ask Richard (Hughes) what I said to him in September, November and he’s going to say something to make everyone quiet.
MANCHESTER, ENGLAND - MAY 03: Ibrahima Konate of Liverpool acknowledges the fans during the warm up prior to the Premier League match between Manchester United and Liverpool at Old Trafford on May 03, 2026 in Manchester, England. (Photo by Michael Regan/Getty Images)
Ibrahima Konate will leave Liverpool this summer(Image: Getty Images)
Despite the defender seemingly confirming he would be staying, the lack of updates thereafter led to Arne Slot being asked about the situation earlier this month.
"If there is a resolution, then we will tell the world," Slot said ahead of the penultimate game of the season against Aston Villa.
"But at this moment of time it's not yet, so at the moment it is, we will share this information. But indeed, as you say, you knew what the answer was going to be."
Get Liverpool's new 2026/27 home kit
This article contains affiliate links, we will receive a commission on any sales we generate from it. Learn more
Content Image
£85
LFC Shop
Buy Now on LFC Shop
Liverpool FC have launched their new home kit for the 2026/27, inspired by iconic adidas strip worn during the club's 1989/90 title-winning campaign.
With the breakdown in talks and Konate’s impending exit now being widely reported, that announcement from Liverpool will be expected soon. Konate’s contract runs until June 30, at which point he will become a free agent.
Article continues below
Details of Liverpool’s negotiations have emerged, with The Athletic’s James Pearce, the gap between the financial package the defender wanted to stay at Anfield and what Liverpool was willing to pay him was "just too big", leading to the breakdown in talks.
Ben Jacobs has provided further insight into process, with Liverpool having been in negotiations with Konate since November 2023. The club is said to have been prepared to pay him big wages, but ultimately chose not to proceed with what was seen as an expensive renewal.