Ibrahima Konate is reportedly set to leave Liverpool as a free agent after failing to agree a new contract, with the French centre-back's current deal due to expire next month
22:23, 28 May 2026
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - MAY 25: (THE SUN OUT. THE SUN ON SUNDAY OUT) Ibrahima Konate of Liverpool poses for a photograph with the Premier League trophy, as Liverpool are crowned the Champions of the Premier League, following the Premier League match between Liverpool FC and Crystal Palace FC at Anfield on May 25, 2025 in Liverpool, England. (Photo by Liverpool FC/Liverpool FC via Getty Images)
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Ibrahima Konate could have played his last game at Anfield for Liverpool(Image: Liverpool FC/Liverpool FC via Getty Images)
Ibrahima Konate is reportedly set to leave Liverpool after failing to reach agreement on fresh terms. Konate, 27, is approaching the end of his existing deal which runs out next month.
His agents held talks with the Liverpool hierarchy regarding an extension for several months, but the defender is now expected to leave as a free agent, as initially reported by Talksport.
Konate enjoyed five trophy-filled years at Anfield, having arrived at the Reds from German outfit RB Leipzig in 2021 for £36million.
The Frenchman will join fellow Liverpool stalwarts Mo Salah and Andy Robertson in departing the club this summer. Before the campaign concluded, Konate suggested he was on the verge of penning fresh terms and declared his desire to stay on Merseyside.
Liverpool's Dutch manager Arne Slot looks on ahead of the English Premier League football match between Liverpool and Brentford at Anfield in Liverpool, north west England on May 24, 2026. (Photo by Paul ELLIS / AFP via Getty Images) / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or 'live' services. Online in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No video emulation. Social media in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No use in betting publications, games or single club/league/player publications. /
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Liverpool's Dutch manager Arne Slot will be looking to add to his side this summer(Image: PAUL ELLIS, AFP via Getty Images)
"For sure there is a big chance I'm here next season," he said in April. "This is what I always wanted.
"I'm waiting to sort the contract but when everything is sorted you will have to ask (sporting director) Richard Hughes what I said to him in September, November and he's going to say something to make everyone quiet."
"Yes (it's taken a long time) but this is a negotiation. With Virgil van Dijk and Mo Salah last season it was exactly the same, I think they signed the contract in April and this is maybe how the club want it."
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - MAY 24: Ibrahima Konaté of Liverpool looks on during the Premier League match between Liverpool and Brentford at Anfield on May 24, 2026 in Liverpool, England. (Photo by Gaspafotos/MB Media/Getty Images)
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Konaté has been linked with some top European clubs(Image: Gaspafotos/MB Media/Getty Images)
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Real Madrid were strongly linked with snapping up Konate on a free transfer but speculation over a switch died down following his sluggish start to the campaign. The France international remained a regular under Arne Slot alongside his long-standing centre-back partner Van Dijk.
Liverpool have already wrapped up a new centre-back for the 2026-27 season, bringing in Jeremy Jacquet from French outfit Rennes in a £60m deal. The Reds will also have Giovanni Leoni available after his maiden campaign was wrecked by injury, limiting him to just one outing.
But with Van Dijk's deal running out in June 2027, combined with Robertson's exit and Trent Alexander-Arnold's departure last summer, the Liverpool defence is experiencing a massive overhaul.