Liverpool are reportedly set to part ways with Ibrahima Konate this summer after failing to reach an agreement over a new contract, bringing an end to talks that have stretched on for more than two years.
Reports regarding the French defender’s future gathered pace quickly, with multiple journalists claiming an exit is now expected.
According to The Athletic’s James Pearce and David Ornstein, negotiations over fresh terms “have not progressed”, while Paul Joyce of The Times reported that both parties were “unable to agree new terms”.
Transfer journalist Ben Jacobs, who first revealed the development on Thursday evening, has since described Konate’s impending departure as a “disappointing outcome” that Liverpool had hoped to avoid.
? More on Ibrahima Konate’s Liverpool exit.
French defender will leave when his contract expires. Viewed by sources as a disappointing outcome, and one Liverpool tried to avert.
There was a significant gulf between club and player over terms.
Negotiations began in November… pic.twitter.com/YZByByxhvc
— Ben Jacobs (@JacobsBen) May 29, 2026
Why Liverpool walked away from a new deal
The key issue appears to have been a major gap between the club and player in negotiations.
Jacobs claims there was a “significant gulf” in discussions, with Liverpool ultimately sticking to their wage structure despite being willing to offer a lucrative package. While the Reds were reportedly prepared to hand Konate a substantial salary increase, they chose against moving forward with what was viewed internally as an expensive renewal.
Instead, Liverpool are expected to redirect those financial resources towards replacing Mohamed Salah and strengthening other areas of the squad during a crucial summer window.
Meanwhile, Fabrizio Romano has reported that salary and contract length were largely agreed, but negotiations eventually stalled due to disagreements over performance-related bonuses.
Defensive concerns for Liverpool
Liverpool’s decision not to renew Konate’s deal could leave the club facing significant questions at centre-back.
Presented without comment…
If Konate leaves for free, that means Liverpool will have lost six players for free in three summers.
2025:
Trent Alexander-Arnold
2026:
Andy Robertson
Ibrahima Konate
Mohamed Salah
2027 if no renewals:
Virgil van Dijk
Alisson Becker
— Michael Mongie (@MikeMongie) May 28, 2026
There is understood to be optimism surrounding highly-rated youngsters Jeremy Jacquet and Giovanni Leoni, but both carry uncertainty. Leoni is working his way back from an ACL injury suffered on his debut, although he is expected to return around the start of pre-season, while Jacquet has spent recent months sidelined with a shoulder issue.
That leaves Virgil van Dijk and Joe Gomez as Liverpool’s only experienced central defensive options.
Liverpool may have been justified in refusing to exceed their salary framework for Konate, but the decision arguably increases the amount of business required in a summer already complicated by the upcoming World Cup.
Konate featured in 51 of Liverpool’s 57 matches this season which was the highest total of his Anfield career while also matching his best attacking return in a single campaign with four goal contributions.
His next destination remains unclear, though Liverpool are expected to lose the defender without receiving a transfer fee, only removing his estimated £80,000-a-week wages from the payroll. Reports last year suggested Konate had been seeking a salary in the region of £200,000 per week.