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It's believed Liverpool is growing confident of securing a new contract with defender Ibrahima Konate.
The French international's contract at Anfield is set to expire at the end of the season, mirroring the situation that led to Trent Alexander-Arnold's acrimonious exit during the summer. Spanish team Real Madrid has been strongly linked with a move for the 26-year-old, potentially capitalizing on his contract expiry.
A return to his homeland has also been suggested, with French champion Paris Saint-Germain reportedly keen on adding the defender to its ranks as manager Luis Enrique seeks to bolster his league and Champions League-winning defence.
As per L'Equipe, Liverpool has tabled another contract offer, and it's reported that negotiations are in progress, with the Reds optimistic about reaching an agreement.
The report suggests that Arne Slot's Reds resumed contract discussions with the defender after they were temporarily paused to allow him to concentrate on Liverpool's successful Premier League title bid last season.
This season, there's an increased emphasis on Konate maintaining his fitness, given the limited defensive options available to the Dutch coach.
The departure of Jarell Quansah created a vacancy, which was filled by Giovanni Leoni, the 19-year-old recruit from Serie A outfit Parma. However, the gifted defender has been sidelined for up to a year after sustaining an anterior cruciate ligament injury during his debut in the Carabao Cup against Southampton.
Combined with the collapsed summer transfer that saw Marc Guehi's switch fall apart at the last moment, Liverpool is left with restricted central defensive choices in Joe Gomez. There remains the potential that the Reds can depend on support from players such as Wataru Endo and Ryan Gravenberch dropping back from midfield.
Konate's performances have faced scrutiny throughout the Reds' title campaign, and this has resulted in condemnation from sections of the press.
Following struggles against Bournemouth and Newcastle, the center-back demonstrated his class in subsequent matches but endured difficulties during Tuesday's 1-0 Champions League loss to Galatasaray.
Slot recently commented on his defender's form, stating: "I think he has things he can improve. But for him, starting this season with a different full-back next to him probably is different as well.
"He and the team had Ryan Gravenberch in front of them for the first time against Newcastle, so I think it's partly also adjustment to each other.
"And partly, I think the biggest strength of Ibou is of course his defensive quality. You could already see last season when he and Virgil were playing together, they mainly make sure Virgil doesn't get the ball, so he needs to bring the ball out of the back.
"That he does sometimes really, really, really good, but his consistency in that part is definitely something he can improve, but that will also improve the more we work together, the more he's used to the right full-back next to him, the more he's used to the other players that are in front of him as well."
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