Ibrahima Konate contract update emerges as defender turns heat up on Arne Slot

Ibrahima Konate's future at Liverpool remains unresolved as his contract nears its expiration, but rumors are gathering pace, adding to the mounting pressure Arne Slot is facing as the defender adds to the pressure Arne Slot is facing

Ibrahima Konate's contract is set to expire at Liverpool this summer(Image: Getty Images)

Ibrahima Konate looks to be getting closer to extending his stay at Liverpool as he turns the heat up on his under-fire head coach.

The defender’s current contract at Anfield is due to expire in the summer, but rumors of him signing a new deal are gathering pace, with Konate himself having also dropped hints recently that he’s planning on staying on Merseyside.

With just under two months of the season remaining, time is running out for Liverpool to strike an agreement with the French international, although links with a move to Real Madrid and Paris Saint-Germain have decreased over recent months.

Now, Liverpool journalist David Lynch reports that talks between Liverpool and Konate are advancing, and the 26-year-old is expected sign a new contract.

The update comes after French outlet L’Equipe also offered a positive update, claiming that while there has been concrete interest coming from Spain, the most likely outcome for Konate now is that he will stay at Liverpool.

It’s suggested that Konate wants to resolve his future before the World Cup gets underway, with the defender set to play a big role for France at this summer’s tournament.

This latest update comes after Konate piled the pressure on Liverpool boss Arne Slot as he reacted to yet another poor result for the Reds, who have a mountain to climb in their Champions League quarter-final against PSG after losing the first leg 2-0.

"What do I think of the result tonight? For sure, I'm not happy,” Konate said.

"I know we have another game at Anfield, it's our home, anything can happen there, and we have to make sure we are ready for the game on Saturday.

"After we're going to think more about that game against PSG. I think PSG, like last season, [are] one of the best teams in the world. They show it again today.

Ibrahima Konate has ramped up the pressure on Arne Slot at Liverpool(Image: Getty Images)

"It was tough for us to find a solution to find the target, but this is the work of the manager now to see what we can improve, what we can change for the game at home, and we will see."

Liverpool.com says: It does seem as though the signs are pointing toward Konate extending his stay at Anfield. Even without some of the reports that have been doing the rounds, the defender has been speaking more and more like a player who isn’t going anywhere.

Even those latest comments after the PSG defeat sound like something of a hint, given the pressure Slot is coming under. Konate can’t be unaware of that, and it does almost feel like he’s sending him something of a make or break message. We will see how that develops.