Liverpool are in the final stages of sealing a new contract agreement for defender Ibrahima Konate, journalist Fabrizio Romano has revealed.
The Anfield side are advancing well in talks over a new deal for the France international and are ‘leading the race’ for his signature, despite links with Real Madrid.
Konate is among Liverpool players whose contracts expire at the end of the season, along with Andy Robertson, who has already announced his impending exit.
Liverpool are also set to part ways with Mohamed Salah in June, after the Egyptian agreed to walk away from the final year of his contract.
Liverpool Advancing in Konate Contract Talks
Liverpool's Ibrahima Konate hugs Real Madrid's Trent Alexander-Arnold
Romano, speaking on his YouTube channel, revealed that Liverpool are nearing a fresh contract agreement with Konate, with talks advancing into the final stages.
“After long negotiations, after many months spent in contact, what I can tell you today is that these negotiations between Liverpool management and Ibrahima Konate, the player and his camp, are moving to the final stages.
“[...] The salary is almost agreed, the length of the contract is being discussed. So that's the point, the number of years. There are some clauses to clarify, but Konate and Liverpool are almost there in negotiations over new contract.
“Again, let's wait for these final stages. Let's be careful until the end. But despite many reports saying that Real Madrid were back in talks to sign Ibrahima Konate in the summer, despite reports saying that Ibrahima Konate wanted to go elsewhere, at the moment, the club absolutely leading the race to have Ibrahima Konate and his services for next season is again Liverpool.”
Konate joined Liverpool for £35m from RB Leipzig in the summer of 2021 and has helped the club win five major titles since.
The centre-back has featured in 175 matches for the Reds, scoring seven goals, and has made 43 appearances under Arne Slot this season.
Liverpool have dropped points in their last three Premier League games and next face Fulham at home on Saturday.
Slot’s side are winless in their last four games in all competitions, including a 2-0 loss to Paris Saint-Germain in the Champions League on Wednesday.
Andy Robertson Set for Tottenham?
Rio Ngumoha and Andrew Robertson
With Robertson’s end-of-season departure confirmed, Liverpool’s Premier League rivals Tottenham are believed to be leading the race to sign the Scotland international on a free.
Provided they retain their Premier League status, Roberto De Zerbi’s side are reportedly in ‘pole position’ for Robertson’s signature, following their initial interest in January.
Spurs discussed a move for the 32-year-old in the winter transfer window but were unable to strike a deal as Liverpool struggled to bring in a replacement in time.
The Reds wanted to recall Kostas Tsimikas from his loan at Roma, and it remains to be seen whether the Greek left-back will be reintroduced into the squad when Robertson’s contract expires.
Tsimikas, who will only have a year left on his deal at the end of the season, has struggled for regular opportunities at Roma, making just 11 starts across all competitions.
mo salah Related
The Players on Liverpool's Shortlist to Replace Mohamed Salah
Liverpool are well underway in their quest to find Mohamed Salah’s successor.