Liverpool defender Ibrahima Konate
Liverpool defender Ibrahima Konate is getting closer to a renewal
Liverpool star Ibrahima Konaté is edging closer towards signing a new contract with the Premier League side.
The France international has less than three months left on his contract. Liverpool want to retain him beyond this season while other clubs circle.
Last month, Sport Witness relayed news that Inter Milan tried to take him away from Anfield in the winter market, by offering €15m to the Reds.
However, the Merseyside club rejected it, and their decision now seems to be paying off.
Update from France on Liverpool future
L’Equipe have a detailed report on the centre-back’s season, his future and place in Didier Deschamps’ squad for the World Cup.
He played 3,487 minutes from 47 matches for Liverpool this season. His Premier League stats are as follows:
Appearances: 29
Starts: 29
Total minutes: 2,487
Minutes per game: 86
The newspaper points out a dip in the 26-year-old’s form in November and December.
In that period, he was behind Virgil van Dijk and Dominik Szoboszlai as the third most used Liverpool player.
Some of Ibrahima Konaté’s errors ended up costing his side points and sources close to the defender say it wasn’t a good time for him.
“He went through the worst period of his career,” a source said.
The Frenchman’s form has improved this year, and L’Equipe insist Liverpool’s last two defeats to Brighton & Hove Albion and Manchester City are not typical of his improved level.
Renewal negotiations with Reds
Ibrahima Konaté has been discussing a new contract with Arne Slot’s side for the past 18 months.
Liverpool’s initial offer was too low and negotiations between the parties stalled for almost a year. There’s now been developments after meetings in recent months.
As of now, the former RB Leipzig man is closer to signing an extension with Liverpool and only a few details need fixing.
The Anfield club are optimistic of securing his long-term future.
Konaté wants it to be sorted out before he goes to the World Cup with France in June.
Our take on this report
L’Equipe are one of the most reliable newspapers in France. They make it clear a source close to Ibrahima Konaté has given them updates about what he went through earlier in the season.
It’s likely the same source would have shared an update about his renewal negotiations with Liverpool.
If there are no last-minute setbacks, the centre-back will be at Anfield for the long term.