Liverpool and Ibrahima Konate remain apart on an agreement over a new contract, but they have been handed a boost in talks, according to L'Equipe.
The Reds have been in talks with the France central defender for over 18 months about a new contract at Anfield, with Konate's current deal with the club set to expire at the end of the current campaign.
Real Madrid, Paris Saint-Germain and Bayern Munich have all been heavily linked with a move to take the defender on a free transfer, in what would be a huge blow to Liverpool after they lost Trent Alexander-Arnold on a free last year, and have already agreed to let Mohamed Salah depart a year earlier than anticipated. But a new update has emerged, giving them a major boost in their hopes to keep him.
Konate Wants to Stay at Liverpool
Liverpool's Ibrahima Konate hugs Real Madrid's Trent Alexander-Arnold
Konate, who has been described as 'world-class', is understood to have turned down the original offer he received from the club as he felt the wages were too low.
That saw contract talks paused for a while, but they have been re-opened in recent times, and talks remain ongoing as they look to tie him down on a new long-term deal. Now, according to French outlet L'Equipe, the most likely scenario from this situation is that Konate will sign a new contract to commit his future to Liverpool.
It's understood that the two parties have 'never been closer' to finding an agreement on a deal, and the 26-year-old defender is keen to have his future sorted before heading off for the World Cup with France this summer.
There are clubs hoping to scupper those plans, and with details still needing to be ironed out, there is a chance that could happen. But Konate wants to stay at Liverpool, and is hoping to make a final decision in the coming weeks.
Liverpool Get Major Konate Boost
Liverpool defender Ibrahima KonateREUTERS/David Klein
With Virgil Van Dijk not quite as good as he once was, and Liverpool having already secured the arrival of Jeremy Jacquet for the summer, keeping Konate at the club is a major bonus.
Konate's performances this season have been a bit of a rollercoaster, but the contract situation has undoubtedly been distracting for everyone involved. The player is in the prime years of his career, and not losing a player who would be worth big money in the current market for nothing, is excellent stuff for the club.
If they can secure Champions League football too, then it may be a perfect start to the summer.
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