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What's going on with Konate? Liverpool mixed messages cast fresh doubt over new contract
Suraj Radia
- Updated: 2 Apr 2026 16:09 BST
- 5 min read
News
Ibrahima Konate is into the final three months of his contract with Liverpool but it appears the club are no closer to finding out whether they will be able to keep hold of their star defender after a fresh update over his future.
Konate has been a key player for Liverpool since joining the club in 2021 and his performances have led to the likes of Real Madrid and Paris Saint-Germain holding a strong, long-term interest in him.
Current ETV
Ibrahima Konaté
D (C)
Liverpool
Ibrahima Konaté
D (C)
Liverpool
ETV Range
€35.6M - €43.5M
Liverpool have opted to run down Konate’s contract and avoid selling him for a cut-price fee in the hopes of being able to convince the 26-year-old to extend his stay at Anfield despite failing to come to agree terms in more than 18 months of negotiations.
While the Reds have not given up hope of keeping hold of Konate, The Athletic report that club sources believe an agreement is ‘not imminent’ – a feeling which is echoed by the player’s camp.
However, the report goes on to say that dressing room sources believe that Konate is ‘more likely’ to stay than to leave, only feeding the uncertainty and speculation over the Frenchman’s future.
The terms offered appear to be the biggest obstacle towards a renewal, with Konate holding out for an improved salary from his current £150,000 per-week towards Liverpool’s highest earners, such as Florian Wirtz’s £250,000 wages.
Interest dwindling as Konate looks towards long-term success with Liverpool
Liverpool have consistently sent a message that, while they are keen to keep hold of Konate, they will only do so on their terms, with the club ‘wary’ of overspending on renewals after seeing a sharp rise in their wage bill in their recent club accounts.
Konate, meanwhile, may also just be waiting to assess his options in the summer and see Liverpool’s Champions League fate, with Arne Slot’s side sitting fifth in the Premier League and in danger of not qualifying for next year’s competition.
Liverpool insist that no bid was received for Konate in January and the player did not push for a move, although the concrete proposals available to him appear to be slimming despite tentative interest.
Real Madrid had initially pushed the hardest for Konate as his contract ticked down but they withdrew their interest before Christmas, with no indication that they will rekindle it.
Bayern Munich also cooled their interest after securing a new deal for their own contract rebel in Dayot Upamecano, while PSG have not hinted that they are preparing a move either.
While Konate has remained tight-lipped over his situation, his recent interviews have been with a tone suggesting that he is looking towards the long-term future with Liverpool.
“We bring new players, we will adapt, we will try to understand each other and at a point, with time, we will win a trophy,” Konate told ESPN this week.
“We will have success and when we win the Premier League or Champions League, people will forget every bad season we had because now we won the league last season. This is just part of the success and we have to be relaxed because we have amazing fans, we have to stay together, and the success will come for sure.”
Verdict: here to stay
With Konate’s top destinations seemingly fizzling away into speculation, the defender may find his best option is simply to remain where he is settled and happy at the club that values him the most.
Having endured poor form to start the season, Liverpool continued to support Konate and give him time to improve, particularly after his father passed away in January,
Ultimately he has not yet proven a priority for the likes of Real and PSG and, at 26, there is plenty of time for Konate to sign a new deal and also find a different challenge in the future, making a stay on Merseyside an easy decision if a compromise can be reached over terms.
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