Widespread reports indicate that Liverpool are close to extending Ibrahima Konate’s contract ahead of its 30 June 2026 expiry date.
Reporting from his Substack page, journalist David Lynch says Konate is closing in on a contract extension after 18 months of failed negotiations with Liverpool.
His article, titled “Liverpool better hope Slot is the problem” zeroed in on some the challenges the club is facing in a season in which they have now officially lost 17 times.
An excerpt from the article reads: “The problems were not just restricted to summer additions, either, with previously reliable stars such as Ryan Gravenberch and Ibrahima Konate struggling.
“One of those players recently signed a new long-term deal, and it is understood that discussions over the other doing the same are now advancing towards a conclusion after an initial impasse.”
David Lynch is not the only journalist reporting Konate is close to a new contract with Liverpool.
? ???? ??: Ibrahima Konaté and Liverpool are nearing an agreement on a contract renewal.
However, some details remain to be finalized. A long-term contract is taking shape.
— @AbdellahBoulma pic.twitter.com/BZw0kLBMNT
— The Touchline | ? (@TouchlineX) April 8, 2026
Lynch’s report follows on from a report from TEAMtalk, who reported earlier this week: “Konate’s camp has reached broad agreement on a new long-term contract at Anfield.
“Sources indicate that the financial package is effectively agreed, with only the finer contractual details still to be finalised. There is growing optimism within the club that the deal will be completed before the end of the month, securing Konate’s long-term future on Merseyside.”
Liverpool need Ibrahima Konate to return to top form next season
While he and his teammates were made to play a brand new system against PSG, Konate was once again all over the place for Liverpool as they slumped to a 2-0 defeat in Paris on Wednesday evening.
It was a disappointing return to his home city, but it summed up the season Konate he has had. One moment, he’s smashing through players in aerial and ground duels, the next, he’s conceding a penalty or out of position.
To be fair, the penalty he conceded against PSG was overruled and was actually an elite recovery tackle, but the positioning which yielded the space for the chance was worrying.
This was never a penalty. Konate clearly gets the ball here pic.twitter.com/vF6GHlsAjd
— Nuel (@LfcNuel) April 8, 2026
The hope is that Liverpool replace Arne Slot this summer and hire a manager who can get the best out of Konate, but his regression this season has been worrisome all the same.
Extending his contract will save Liverpool around £60-70m on a replacement and if they can get the best out of him next season, this will go down as a clutch piece of business.