The French defender's current deal at Anfield expires at the end of the season but he has given a major update on his situation and has stressed how he has become a leader at the club
Ibrahima Konate during a Liverpool game
Ibrahima Konate joined Liverpool from RB Leipzig in the summer of 2021(Image: Getty Images)
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Ibrahima Konate has revealed he is about to sign a new contract and has urged Liverpool’s sporting director to explain why an agreement has been so long in the making. The French defender’s current deal expires at the end of the season and there have been suggestions he could be lined up for a free transfer to Real Madrid.
But Konate will be staying at Anfield and a new long-term agreement should be confirmed over the next few days. The 26-year-old centre-half said: “My future? To be fair, there are many things people have said but for a long time we have spoken with the club and we are close to an agreement.
“I think everyone wished for that for as long as possible, but we are in a good way. For sure there is a big chance I’m here next season.
"This is what I always wanted. I’m waiting to sort the contract but when everything is sorted you will have to ask Richard (Hughes) what I said to him in September, November, and he’s going to say something to make everyone quiet.”
There had been fears among fans that Liverpool had got themselves into another Trent Alexander-Arnold situation. The England full-back moved to the Bernabeu when his contract expired past summer.
But when asked if had always wanted to extend his time at the club, Konate replied: “That's why I said. When everything's going to be sorted, I wish you had discussion with Richard and asked what I said to him a few months ago before everyone talked about everything and when he’s going to reply, you will see. I just wish that.”
Richard Hughes, sporting director at Liverpool fc during the Premier League match between Chelsea and Liverpool at Stamford Bridge on October 04, 2025 in London, England. (Photo by Robin Jones/Getty Images)
Liverpool's sporting director, Richard Hughes, has been leading contract negotiations with Ibrahima Konate(Image: Robin Jones/Getty Images)
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Hughes, the sporting director, was obviously leading the club in negotiations and Konate wondered if it was deliberate policy to take those talks down to the wire. He went on: “This is negotiation. With Virgil and Mo last season it was exactly the same, I think they signed the contract in April and this is maybe how the club wants it.”
But it now seems the club and the player have settled on financial terms and contract length and Konate is looking forward to assuming an even bigger role in Liverpool’s future. His central defensive partner Virgil van Dijk will turn 35 in July and Mohamed Salah and Andy Robertson are both leaving in the summer.
And Konate says he is ready to take on a more significant leadership role, explaining: “I think I'm a leader already for this team, for the younger players, for everyone to be fair. We know this is part of the football life.
“The legends are going to leave one day and it's going to be our turn to take the lead. I started this already and it's a big responsibility, but we start and we play football to have this kind of chance and to make sure everything is fine for this amazing club. But I need the help of everyone as well.”
Virgil van Dijk of Liverpool and Ibrahima Konate of Liverpool celebrate after winning the Premier League match between Nottingham Forest and Liverpool at City Ground on February 22, 2026 in Nottingham, England
Ibrahima Konate has started alongside Viril van Dijk in 31 of Liverpool's 33 Premier League games this season(Image: Getty Images)
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Konate joined Liverpool in 2021 and his bond with the club has been strengthened by the support he was given after his father tragically passed away in January. It has been a traumatic time for him.
“It was a tough year because many things happened," said Konate. "And I think if everyone knew exactly what happened to me, they can understand which kind of sacrifice I've done for this club."
“I take it in my heart like my family. It’s such an amazing club and amazing family. That’s why we have to give our all on the pitch, for them, for the fans, for everyone in the city. This club means so much to me.”
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