With Ibrahima Konate reportedly set to leave Liverpool at the expiration of his contract this summer, Hugo Ekitike has urged him to sign a new deal.
Hugo Ekitike asks Ibrahima Konate to sign new contract
Ekitike mightn’t be at the World Cup due to his Achilles injury, but he was still in his fellow Frenchman Konate’s ear as the centre-back headed to France’s initial training base, Clairefontaine.
Konate posted a photo of him arriving to begin his World Cup preparations with the caption, ‘WORLD CUP’.
Ekitike, known for his social media presence, replied in French, ‘Signe frere’ followed by two laughing emojis, which translates as, ‘Sign brother’.
This comes after it was widely reported that Konate is to leave the club due to a disagreement over the terms of any new deal.
Transfer journalist Fabrizio Romano added that the salary and length of contract was agreed, but disagreements over bonuses led to a collapse in talks.
Thankfully, it seems Giovanni Leoni and new signing Jeremy Jacquet will be joining Liverpool for pre-season, but it is far from ideal to be losing another Premier League winner in Konate.
You would also have to assume that, should Konate depart, Joe Gomez would stay put for another transfer window.
LFC News: Heysel memorial unveiled on 41st anniversary
New Heysel Memorial Unveiled
Watch Ian Rush and Billy Hogan talk about the relationship between Liverpool and Juventus here.
• Liverpool have unveiled a new memorial at Anfield to remember the 39 people who died in the 1985 Heysel Disaster – Ian Rush, club CEO Billy Hogan and Juventus officials were among those present
• The Reds “are pushing hard” to sign Yan Diomande before the World Cup, according to Sky Sport Germany – RB Leipzig want to extend his current contract beyond 2030, though
• *BILD*‘s reliable Leverkusen source Axel Hesse has said Jarell Quansah is “expected” to return to Liverpool, but not until 2027 when he will cost £51 million
• Alexander Isak has described breaking his leg in December as “a bit of a scary experience,” while also confirming that it was his first-ever surgery
More from This Is Anfield
For many supporters, Andy Robertson‘s Liverpool exit has come a year too early. James Nalton assesses that point of view and why fans could be right:
“Milos Kerkez has spoken about how much he has learned from Robertson this season, which likely led to the Hungarian’s own improvement in the middle of the campaign, having taken some time to settle.
“It’s easy to forget that Robertson himself didn’t go into the team straight away at Liverpool, but once he had the opportunity to do so on a regular basis at the end of 2017, he kept that place up to this most recent campaign.”
Football News: Contracts for Mourinho & Clarke as Gordon heads to Barcelona
STOKE-ON-TRENT, ENGLAND - Saturday, September 9, 2017: Manchester United's manager Jose Mourinho during the FA Premier League match between Stoke City and Manchester United at the Bet365 Stadium. (Pic by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
• Jose Mourinho has signed a three-year deal to take over for a second term as Real Madrid manager – but it won’t be made official until after the club’s presidential election on 7 June (BBC Sport)
• Scotland manager Steve Clarke has signed a new contract that would see him take charge at the 2030 World Cup, should his team get there – let’s enjoy this one first, though!
• Kieran Trippier is close to joining Wolves, having verbally agreed a move to Molineux on a free transfer from Newcastle (BBC Sport)
• Anthony Gordon has completed his medical ahead of a £69.3m move to Barcelona (Sky Sports) – he mustn’t be able to believe his luck!