For a while now, Chelsea have been linked with signing Liverpool defender Ibrahima Konate. The news that Konate would leave Anfield might have pricked the ears of Chelsea’s decision makers.
Chelsea are expected to sign a new central defender in the summer window, with Xabi Alonso aware that Chelsea’s problem position has been the middle of the defence during the 2025-26 window.
One of many problems on the pitch at the moment 🤦♂️
Chelsea's Wesley Fofana
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Ultimately, Chelsea’s ability to find a centre-back partnership that works in Levi Colwill’s absence has been costly. The Blues’ inability to defend from crosses was one of the worst in the entire Premier League.
Chelsea are expected to go after a player with experience, that can take control and organise such a leaky back four. A defence that kept four clean sheets in Liam Rosenior’s 23 games and Konate has been linked.
Chelsea make surprise decision to overlook Ibrahima Konate
It has been confirmed that Konate will not sign a new contract. The France international has spent the last five years at Anfield, but will leave the club alongside Andy Robertson and Mo Salah in the coming weeks.
It comes at the same time that Liverpool have confirmed the departure of Arne Slot. Having been linked for so long, Konate might have been a key target for Chelsea especially if he was available on a free.
But TeamTalk report that isn’t the case. Talks between Liverpool and Konate are said to have broken down because of Konate’s demands, despite a poor 2025-26 campaign in which Konate made many mistakes.
Aston Villa v Liverpool - Premier League
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The Athletic recently said that Konate wanted to become one of Chelsea’s top earners and his current wages of £150,000 a week did not reflect his importance. Florian Wirtz is said to be on £250,000 a week.
Chelsea have decided against a move simply because of Konate’s wage demands, alongside a substantial signing-on fee and agent costs. Despite being available on a free, Konate sounds like an expensive buy.
Indeed, Salary Sport say captain Reece James is currently Chelsea’s top earner on £250,000 a week having signed a new contract at Stamford Bridge during 25-26. Konate is some way below the quality of James.
How much was Ibrahima Konate demanding from Liverpool?
There are some murmurs that Konate was requesting an enormous contract worth north of £250,000 a week if he was to sign on the dotted line at Anfield. Perhaps understandably, Liverpool have opted not to.
What is Xabi Alonso’s number one priority as soon as he walks through those doors?🤔
Xabi Alonso's priority as Chelsea manager
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It also makes sense for Chelsea to ignore such a move. If he was to join on those wages, Konate would be one of Chelsea’s top earners and clearly, for a player capable of a mistake, that is an expensive risk.
Chelsea have been linked with plenty of defenders this summer, but the signing of Konate feels unlikely. Real Madrid and Bayern Munich are interested, while Saudi Pro League sides are keen on doing a deal.
Ultimately, Chelsea have made the right decision. They might be able to offer such a contract to the cream of the crop, but Konate is not that. He has been a liability at times over the last 12 months.
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