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Liverpool has yet to reach an agreement over a contract extension for center-back Ibrahima Konate, and it could cost them $69.5 million if he departs the club at the end of the season.
Konate, 26, is contracted through June 30, 2026, but can speak to foreign clubs and potentially sign a future deal from January. After losing Trent Alexander-Arnold on a free transfer to Real Madrid this summer, history could repeat itself if Konate decides to move to the Spanish capital.
The French defender remains a key player for head coach Arne Slot, but fans are growing concerned as he nears the end of his Liverpool contract. According to Transfermarkt, Konate is worth $69.5 million, but Liverpool risks losing that value for nothing.
Konate is the highest-valued player out of contract in 2026, with fellow French defender Dayot Upamencano worth approximately $57.8 million. Barcelona midfielder Frenkie de Jong and Crystal Palace defender Marc Guehi are ranked third.
Both players are worth an estimated $52 million, and Liverpool attempted to sign Guehi on deadline day. Liverpool has been looking to strengthen defensively, with cover limited behind Konate and Virgil van Dijk.
Joe Gomez is also an option for Slot, but young defender Giovanni Leoni suffered a season-ending injury in a League Cup win over Southampton. Liverpool remains focused on signing Guehi, whether it makes another bid in January or attempt to sign him for free next summer.
However, while Liverpool could secure an elite center-back on a discounted deal, or even for free, the club risks losing another major asset in Konate. Madrid has been heavily linked with Konate, and the Frenchman is seen as a long-term replacement for Antonio Rudiger.
Madrid may also attempt to sign Guehi, but his future is unclear after a failed move to Liverpool. While it's been an exciting summer transfer window for Liverpool with several high-profile signings, losing another top talent for free won't be popular among fans.
Alexander-Arnold is one of the most unique full-backs in the world, and Liverpool only received $15 million for a player currently valued at $86 million. If Konate agrees to sign for Madrid, Liverpool fans may lose patience with the board.
Whether Konate stays or leaves the club, Liverpool desperately needs another center-back. The club is expected to push for Guehi again in January after Liverpool's late attempt this summer fell through.
Palace initially accepted Liverpool's approach for Guehi, but pulled the plug when a suitable replacement couldn't be signed. In an interview with talkSPORT, Palace chairman Steve Parish opened up about the failed move.
"It was a difficult decision," Parish said. "It’s as simple as that. These things are never black and white. I decided in the end that, based on the advice that I got... I think that we would have a better season if we kept Marc.
"If you look at it rationally, if you look at what the worth is of each place in the Premier League, the fact that we’re in the Conference League for the first time in our history, this is a fairly unusual set of circumstances in which to keep a player. If we were fighting between 10th and 14th then probably we would have said, right, we should take the money."
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