Liverpool have reportedly made progress towards extending Ibrahima Konate’s contract with the Frenchman’s current terms set to expire at the end of next season.
This season, Arne Slot guided the Reds to the Premier League title but much of the excitement of the season was overshadowed by the threat of losing Viril van Dijk, Mohamed Salah and Trent Alexander-Arnold for free.
All three were set to be out of contract at the end of this month but Salah and van Dijk re-committed their futures to Liverpool for another two years while Trent Alexand-Arnold is joining Real Madrid.
But the contract drama doesn’t end there with four players out of contract in 2026. Andrew Robertson Konate, Caoimhin Kelleher and Viteszlav Jaros all out of contract next year.
Kelleher is leaving the club while talks are planned regarding Robertson’s terms although it remains to be seen what happens to Jaros.
Liverpool are also working on new terms for Luis Diaz, who is out of contract in 2027 but he is wanted by several clubs on the continent and in Saudi Arabia.
Liverpool make progress on new deal for Ibrahima Konate
According to the Liverpool Echo‘s Paul Gorst, progress between FSG and Konate’s representatives was made in late May as the Reds simultanouesly work on incomings while strengthening their position with key players like the French international.
Gorst reports: “Talks between Ibrahima Konate’s agent and Liverpool over a new deal progressed in late May.
“The France international is into the final year of his deal and will have Europe’s top clubs queuing up for a potential free transfer next summer.”
What has Konate said publicly about his future?
Konate has made it clear that he is enjoying life at Liverpool and so news of a contract breakthrough is very encourgaing.
On his 26th birthday, the centre-back dismissed rumours linking him with an exit.
“You know, I just want to say one thing: Everything you saw on social media is completely fake,” Konate said. “I didn’t even ask for something from the club. They made me an offer, and I replied to them with something, that is it.
“The rest (speculation) that I want to wait until the end…I want this, all of it is completely fake. And even the big journalists said in November I am very close to signing the deal. I was like: ‘Ah, they have more information than me!?’
“Because it was not true at that moment and that is why I was a little bit mad because it was not true at this moment. I knew at one moment people would think I didn’t want to sign the contract but I was never close to signing it. We will see what will happen.”