**Liverpool are keen to avoid a repeat of the Trent Alexander-Arnold saga by renewing Ibrahima Konate’s contract.**
The Frenchman joined Liverpool in 2021, swapping RB Leipzig for £36million but his contract expires at the end of next season which means, if an agreement cannot be reached on fresh terms, this summer is the final chance for FSG to earn a fee from his sale.
Konate, while injury prone, is one of the best centre-backs in the world and if Liverpool can keep him, their transfer plans will be drastically simplified.
As things stand, Liverpool need a left-back, right-back and a centre-back but if Konate leaves, they will need two new centre-backs.
Liverpool make Ibrahima Konate contract renewal a priority after Salah and van Dijk contract extensions
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According to French outlet [L’Equipe](https://www.lequipe.fr/Football/Article/En-negociation-avec-liverpool-mais-egalement-suivi-par-des-gros-clubs-konate-un-avenir-incertain/1563452), _“the stakes surrounding Konate’s immediate future become more pressing every week.”_
The 25-year-old is out of contract on June 30 2026 but Liverpool are set to hold talks over a new deal.
The report reads: _“Liverpool’s management, now that they have signed extensions for Mohamed Salah and Virgil Van Dijk, have made Konaté’s case a priority._
_“To avoid a Trent Alexander-Arnold-style conclusion, with Konaté leaving for Real Madrid on a free, they know that time is running out on the Frenchman’s case.”_
Konate is not irreplaceable but one of the best for sure
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While Konate is by no means irreplaceable, Liverpool do not want to lose him much less to Real Madrid. The Spaniards are already set to be hugely strengthened by signing Alexander-Arnold for free but if they get Konate for free next summer as well, that would be a total failure on the part of Liverpool’s executives.
That said, with all respect to Konate, it’s much more important that Liverpool extended van Dijk’s contract until 2027. The Dutchman can make any centre-back look good and if Liverpool need to replace Konate, it’s safe to assume van Dijk will make it work.